Africans Abroad: Salah, Adams and Aubameyang shine with goals across Europe

Africans Abroad: Salah, Adams and Aubameyang shine with goals in Europe
Africans Abroad: Salah, Adams and Aubameyang shine with goals in EuropeJose Luis Contreras/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Awe-inspiring performances from African players played a pivotal role in securing crucial results for their respective clubs.

England

Beto played a crucial role in Everton’s 2-2 draw against Brentford in a keenly contested Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The hosts had taken a third-minute lead through Igor Thiago’s penalty; however, the Guinea-Bissau international restored parity in the 26th minute after reacting quickly to finish Idrissa Gueye’s cross.

Brentford twice hit the woodwork and later regained the lead when Thiago’s deflected strike off Michael Kayode put them ahead again after a frantic spell.

But deep into stoppage time, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck to rescue a point for David Moyes’ men after a late scramble in the box.

With the result, both teams remain level on 47 points in the table.

At Anfield, Liverpool ended their losing run with a 2-0 win over Fulham, inspired by a breakout moment from teenager Rio Ngumoha and a trademark finish from Mohamed Salah.

17-year-old Ngumoha, who is of Nigerian descent opened the scoring with a composed, curling finish at to become the Reds’ youngest-ever Premier League scorer.

Minutes later, Egypt captain Salah doubled the lead in classic fashion, finishing a flowing move with a clinical left-foot strike to register a rare league goal in a difficult spell.

The Cottagers responded after the break with pressure and chances, but the hosts held firm despite heavy attacking waves.

The result steadied Arne Slot’s side after recent setbacks and boosted their push for European qualification.

Mohamed Salah, Alex Iwobi
Mohamed Salah, Alex IwobiSportimage, Sportimage Ltd / Alamy / Profimedia

Spain

Abde Ezzalzouli was the bright spark for Real Betis in a 1-1 draw against Osasuna, though their winless LaLiga run stretched to seven matches.

The Morocco international struck in the seventh minute after finishing a rapid counter-attack from a precise Hector Bellerin through ball to give Betis the lead. 

Ezzalzouli remained their main threat, forcing a strong save from Sergio Herrera and constantly stretching the Osasuna defence.

Even at that, his side could not build on the advantage. Osasuna levelled before half-time through Ante Budimir’s penalty after sustained pressure and a defensive foul in the box.

After the break, both clubs pushed harder. Despite chances at both ends, neither side found a winner, leaving Betis’ European hopes under threat.

In another fixture, Akor Adams was the difference-maker as Sevilla secured a crucial 2-1 LaLiga win over Atletico Madrid side at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

The hosts struck early as the Nigeria international converted a VAR-awarded penalty, giving the hosts a dream start against Diego Simeone’s team. 

Atletico briefly hit back through a debut header from Javier Bonar, but Sevilla restored their advantage before half-time through Nemanja Gudelj’s set-piece finish.

Adams’ early composure from the spot set the tone for a assertive Sevilla performance, with the striker leading the line as they managed the game in the second half.

Although Atletico pressed late, the home team held firm to secure all three points that eased their relegation fears after three straight defeats.

At the Reale Arena, Ibrahim Diabate was on target as Deportivo Alaves rescued a late 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad to extend their unbeaten run and boosting LaLiga survival hopes.

Alaves made a dream start when a low cross forced an early own goal, before Sociedad hit back with a stunning equaliser. 

Ivorian forward Diabate then restored the visitors’ lead, reacting sharply to a loose ball and finishing clinically to cap a frantic first half full of momentum swings.

The game stayed wide open, with Sociedad twice regaining control, including a well-taken header from Orri Oskarsson after a precise cross from Takefusa Kubo.

But the visiting side refused to fold. Despite missed chances and mounting pressure, they pushed until stoppage time, when Lucas Boye struck a brilliant late equaliser. 

Germany

Nicolas Jackson was on target as Bayern Munich swept aside St. Pauli 5-0 at the Millerntor-Stadion to extend their unbeaten Bundesliga run and set a new single-season scoring record.

The Bavarians opened scoring early through Jamal Musiala before adding more through Leon Goretzka, Michael Olise and Raphael Guerreiro.

After blazing a chance over earlier in the match, Senegal international Jackson redeemed himself by finishing clinically from close range in the goal-laden fixture. 

Elsewhere, Yan Diomande struck late to seal a 1-0 win for RB Leipzig against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The hosts dominated from the start, with David Raum hitting the post early and Moritz Nicolas denying multiple efforts to keep Gladbach level at the break. 

The breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute when Christoph Baumgartner set up Cote d’Ivoire star Diomande, who surged past the defence and finished emphatically.

Yan Diomande
Yan DiomandeRonny HARTMANN / AFP / AFP / Profimedia

Italy

Caleb Ekuban made a decisive impact off the bench, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo on Sunday.

Introduced with 35 minutes remaining, the Ghana international proved the difference, netting in the 84th minute with one of his two shots on target to seal the win. That effort took his tally to four for the season, alongside one assist.

Despite limited opportunities at Genoa, starting just six of his 27 appearances, Ekuban made a strong case for more consistent game time.

African star Jeremie Boga was the hero for Juventus as they edged Atalanta 1-0 to climb into Serie A’s top four and extend their unbeaten run.

After a lively start saw the home team hit the post and miss key chances, the game lacked cutting edge before the break. 

Juventus, largely quiet in attack, capitalised early in the second half when their Ivorian import miscued an effort that looped into the net following a delivery into the box.

Atalanta pushed for an equaliser, with Michele Di Gregorio producing a crucial save, but their lack of precision in front of goal proved costly.

Thanks to the result, Juventus were handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

France

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was among the goal scorers as Olympique Marseille defeated Metz 3-1 to climb into third place after responding positively to recent setbacks.

After back-to-back 2-1 defeats, Habib Beye’s side showed intent, with Mason Greenwood setting up Igor Paixao to double the lead early in the second half. 

Metz briefly threatened a comeback when Georgiy Tsitaishvili pulled one back almost immediately, but the Olympians stayed firmly in control to secure all points.

Shina Oludare
Shina OludareFlashscore
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