Chris Rigg says Eliezer Mayenda is on fire after what he did for Spain Under-21s

Add as preferred source on Google

Eliezer Mayenda has received praise from his Sunderland teammate after achieving a personal accomplishment while on international duty.

The 20-year-old helped the Black Cats make Championship history last season as he scored the equaliser in the play-off final before Tommy Watson’s 95th-minute match-winner.

Mayenda also scored in the resounding 3-0 win against West Ham United in the Premier League curtain raiser, but has since endured a barren spell.

Regis Le Bris dropped the young forward to the bench for the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace after starting the opening three league matches.

He has since been unable to force himself back into the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light, but Mayenda may be on the cusp of overturning his fortunes after his performance for Spain Under-21s.

Eliezer Mayenda scores his first international goal for Spain

Mayenda opened his international account with a 90th-minute equaliser against Finland as the Spanish Under-21s side secured a last-gasp 2-1 win against Finland.

Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia scored the match-winner three minutes later to overturn the deficit following Yarek Gasiorowski’s own goal to maintain Spain’s unbeaten record in the Under-21 European Championship qualifiers.

Rigg responded to his Sunderland teammate’s Instagram post with fire emojis following the result as Mayenda reflected on his pivotal first international goal.

“Great work by the entire team. A very important victory. Remontada. Vamos!”

Sunderland have shocked the Premier League upon their return to the top flight, as they sit seven points clear of fellow newly promoted side Burnley in the relegation zone after seven matches.

However, Wilson Isidor has been breaking records on Wearside this season, and his sensational league form has kept Mayenda out of the starting line-up.

Mayenda has been limited to only 42 minutes of Premier League football since his last start against Brentford, but the forward has now laid down a serious marker that he is ready to challenge Isidor for a starting berth once club football resumes.

Eliezer Mayenda reacts to first goal for Spain

While the forward will undoubtedly be relishing his first international goal, he has remained humble following his achievement.

Mayenda scored 10 goals and added five assists across all competitions last season as he helped Sunderland return to the top-flight.

And now, speaking after the victory at the Estadio SkyFi Castalia, Mayenda said his main focus is to help his team.

“What I try to do is score goals in every situation I can. If I can help the team at the beginning or end of the game, then I try to do my best.

“And well, it’s true that I’ve scored some goals in those slightly heated moments, so to speak, but it’s not that I feel more comfortable at one moment or another. I just try to work hard and score as many goals as possible to help the team.”