Kyusei Ueda Scores Again in Champions League as Lille Fall 2-3 to Real Betis

Fans familiar with Japanese football will certainly know Kyusei Ueda. This summer, he joined Lille from Dutch club Feyenoord, and many wondered whether an Asian striker could adapt to Ligue 1's pace and establish himself in a top Western European league. The answer came quickly: he responded directly with goals.

In Ligue 1's third round match against Strasbourg, Ueda came on as a substitute and scored a late winner, netting his first goal for Lille. Many fans thought the youngster had something special. Few expected that just a few matches later, he would already shine on the Champions League stage.

In this Champions League clash, Ueda moved straight into the starting lineup as the lone striker, even leaving French legend Giroud on the bench. The selection itself showed the coaching staff's trust in him. In the 12th minute, 19-year-old Ethan Mbappe, the younger brother of Kylian Mbappe, delivered a quality cross from the right.

Ueda cleverly escaped his marker and, unmarked at the far side, sent a precise header into the net to open the scoring. The goal showcased excellent tactical execution, with his movement, timing of the jump, and heading technique all on display. After scoring, he immediately pointed toward Ethan Mbappe in thanks before performing his trademark prayer celebration, sending the Stade Pierre-Mauroy crowd into excitement.

The first half was full of twists and turns. In the 33rd minute, Betis used a corner kick as Marc Bartra headed in the equalizer. Just three minutes later, Lille responded with another corner routine, with Alexsandro scoring a header to restore the lead. Lille went into halftime ahead 2-1, with the momentum on their side.

However, the second half changed dramatically. In the 49th minute, Bartra again converted from a set piece with a header to level the score. In the 53rd minute, Parrot scored to put Betis ahead. The pace of the match suddenly shifted, and Lille struggled to regain control.

More damagingly, Ethan Mbappe, who provided the assist for Ueda, was shown a straight red card in the 56th minute for an elbowing incident. Lille were forced to play with ten men and faced increasing pressure. In the 77th minute, Ueda was replaced by Giroud, and Lille could not change the result, eventually losing 2-3 to Real Betis at home in their Champions League opener.

Although the team lost, Ueda's individual form has been remarkably strong. Since joining Lille, he has scored in two consecutive competitive matches, and including his time at Feyenoord, he has now scored in five straight competitive appearances. This shows that he has not only adapted quickly to Ligue 1 but has also proven himself on the Champions League stage.

His performance quickly attracted attention on overseas social media, with many fans leaving praise such as: "Kyusei Ueda is incredibly strong!" "His movement to escape defenders was perfect." "A debut winner and another Champions League goal—the speed at which he adapted to a new team is amazing." Many Japanese fans joked that they could wake up every day to see Ueda scoring goals, calling his form extraordinary.

These reactions highlight that few Asian forwards manage to establish themselves in Europe's top leagues, and even fewer continue to shine in the Champions League. In just a few matches, Ueda has answered his doubters, showing impressive movement, finishing instincts, and physical ability.

Of course, the defeat was disappointing. Lille held the advantage at home against Betis but ultimately suffered a loss. Without the red card incident involving the elbow, the course of the match might have been different. However, a team's success or failure is never determined by one player alone, and Ueda had already done enough individually.

His next match will be Ligue 1's fourth round fixture against Troyes, kicking off at 21:00 Beijing time on September 13. If everything goes well, fans may witness him score in three consecutive competitive matches since joining Lille. Opposing defenses may once again have to deal with the threat of this Japanese striker.

Lille fans are likely feeling that this summer transfer has turned out well. But Ueda's story has only just begun.