Super Eagles defender Tyronne Ebuehi came off the bench to score for Empoli in their Serie B clash at Palermo, but his goal was not enough to prevent a 3–2 defeat on Saturday at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. The Nigerian’s strike briefly brought Empoli level before the hosts regained the lead late on.
Empoli fell behind early but rallied in the second half thanks to Ebuehi’s headed goal, only for Joel Pohjanpalo’s late penalty to seal a dramatic victory for Palermo in this 23rd-round encounter.
Gabriele Guarino gave Empoli a surprise lead in the 5th minute, heading them in front against the run of play. However, Palermo hit back before halftime when a defensive own goal brought the hosts level.
After the break, Ebuehi rose to head Empoli back onto level terms in the 72nd minute, cushioning his team’s hopes of a result. But Palermo substitute Joel Pohjanpalo struck from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to clinch the three points for the home side.
The defeat leaves Empoli in 11th place in the Serie B table and chasing consistency as the promotion battle intensifies, while Palermo climb higher after this tightly contested win.
Ebuehi’s strike was his first for the club this season and highlighted the defender’s aerial threat and game-changing potential when introduced from the bench.
Editorial
Tyronne Ebuehi’s goal for Empoli in this entertaining Serie B tie exemplifies the impact a well-timed substitute can have, even if the result ultimately didn’t go his team’s way. Coming off the bench to head home under pressure shows his offensive value in addition to his defensive qualities.
For Empoli, the narrow loss is a reminder that resilience across a full 90 minutes is essential in a league as competitive as Italy’s second tier. Defensive slips and late penalties can define matches, and while scoring away from home is encouraging, conceding late will frustrate both the players and supporters.
From a Nigerian perspective, seeing a Super Eagles defender score in European club action adds to the growing list of Nigerians making notable contributions abroad. Ebuehi’s blend of experience and timely impact could be a valuable asset for Empoli’s season ahead.
Did You Know?
- Tyronne Ebuehi headed Empoli’s second goal in the 72nd minute in their 3–2 loss at Palermo.
- The Serie B match was played on 7 February 2026 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.
- Empoli took an early lead through Gabriele Guarino before Palermo fought back.
- Joel Pohjanpalo scored twice for Palermo, including the decisive penalty.
- Ebuehi, a Nigeria international, has previously featured in top-flight European football with Ajax before joining Empoli.
