Takashi Usami continued his devastating run of form as his brace helped Gamba Osaka demolish FC Seoul 3-1 in Wednesday’s AFC Champions League round of 16’s first leg.

The MEIJI YASUDA J1 League top scorer opened his account on the continent late, against Guangzhou R&F in round 5 of the group stages.

But both his goals at Seoul World Cup Stadium meant he has now netted in three consecutive ACL matches, with his latest possibly decisive in seeing Gamba progress to the quarter finals.

Usami’s first of the evening came he met Hiroki Fujiharu’s cross with a spectacular volley to break the Koreans’ stubborn resistance.

Koki Yonekura later mimicked his team-mate’s goal with his strike, doubling the Japanese champions’ lead before Usami threatened to put the tie beyond reach with a wonderful solo effort.

A lapse however allowed Seoul to pull a consolation back, although Usami’s exploits already put Gamba in a commanding position ahead of the return leg at Expo ‘70 Stadium next Wednesday.