From Amad Diallo’s late equaliser to Mohamed Salah’s historic 250th Liverpool goal to Moses Simon’s clutch finish to Mohamed Amoura’s brace to Abde Ezzalzouli’s tidy finish and Ismael Saibari’s sparkling performance, we bring you all the action from African players across Europe in this latest weekly football recap episode.
DIALLO RESCUES A POINT
Amad Diallo struck late to snatch a vital point for Manchester United in their away Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Casemiro’s thumping header from a corner gave Manchester United the lead in the 34th minute, and his goal handed United the advantage going into the break. Nottingham Forest turned the game on its head shortly after the restart with two quick-fire goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona, wresting control from Man United.
With the game slipping out of United’s hands and a loss seeming inevitable, Amad Diallo rose to the occasion and singlehandedly dragged United back into the game. Casemiro’s header was cleared to Amad on the edge of the box, and the Ivorian winger volleyed the ball home ferociously to level proceedings. An unstoppable thunderbolt!
A timely occasion to net his first Premier League goal of the season. The game ended on level terms. The draw brings a halt to United’s recent impressive run of form, snapping their three-game winning run.
MO SALAH NETS HISTORIC 250TH LIVERPOOL GOAL
Mohamed Salah scored a historic 250th Liverpool goal as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a convincing two-nil victory against Aston Villa at Anfield.
Salah was exceptional for Liverpool in the entirety of the match, and he put the Reds ahead in the additional minutes of the first half. Liverpool’s intense press paid off as Emiliano Martinez misplaced a pass and Salah punished him decisively, pouncing and prodding the loose pass into an empty net. His goal provided a safe cushion for Liverpool going into the break.
A brilliant second-half strike by Ryan Gravenberch solidified Liverpool’s grip on the match. The scores remained unchanged at the full-time whistle. Mo Salah is getting back to his best. The Egyptian winger has now netted in consecutive league appearances for Liverpool, helping the Reds snap their four-game losing run as they tasted the familiar thrill of victory.
With his goal, Mo Salah equalled Wayne Rooney’s record for the most goal involvements (278) in the Premier League for a single club. A Premier League legend in every right!
SIMON FIRES PARIS FC TO VICTORY
Moses Simon’s second-half goal provided the winning spark for Paris FC in their Ligue 1 fixture against AS Monaco away at the Stade Louis II stadium.
Despite a dominant first-half performance from AS Monaco, they lacked a finishing touch, and the opening half ended on a goalless note. AS Monaco made a couple of substitutions at the break, but it was Paris FC that found the breakthrough through Moses Simon eight minutes after the restart.
Following a darting run down the right wing, Maxime Lopez teased a sumptuous pass to an unmarked Moses Simon in Monaco’s 18-yard box, and he rifled the ball first time into the net to send the away fans into raptures of joy. Moses Simon has adjusted seamlessly to life in Paris, registering his fifth goal involvement across 11 league appearances.
Monaco piled on the pressure, but Paris FC resolutely kept out their opponents from Monaco. Moses Simon’s goal was the difference as Paris FC clinched a vital away victory against Monaco, bringing an end to their three-game winless run, and they climbed to 11th on the Ligue 1 table.
ABDE STRIKES IN ROUT
Abde Ezzalzouli fired Real Betis to a resounding three-nil victory against RCD Mallorca in their La Liga fixture at the Villamarin Stadium.
Antony got Betis off to a perfect start at home, firing the home side in the 10th minute, and the Brazilian winger completed his brace in the 34th minute. Abde Ezzalzouli got in on the act in the 37th minute as goalscorer Antony teed the Moroccan winger for Betis’ third goal. Antony went on a surging attack down the right for Betis and flashed a cutback across the face of the goal. Arriving late into the 18-yard box, Abde dispatched the ball into the net from close range.
Abde has started the season in strong form, scoring three goals and notching one assist across seven league appearances for Betis. He has been instrumental to Betis’ impressive run of form this season. Betis took a comfortable three-nil lead into the break, and there was no coming back for Mallorca from the three-goal deficit. The second half ended on a goalless note, as Betis’ two-game winless run came to an end and they returned to winning ways with a clinical performance. They ascended to fifth on the La Liga table and remain locked in fierce competition for the European spots.
AMOURA NETS BRACE IN WOLFSBURG LOSS
Mohamed Amoura’s brace was not enough as VfL Wolfsburg slumped to a 3:2 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena. Mohamed Amoura got Wolfsburg to a flying start in the 14th minute as he fired the home side into the lead with aplomb. Mattias Svanberg sent the Algerian striker racing through on goal with a fine pass, and he opted for the spectacular. Rounding the goalkeeper up, he smashed the ball into the net from close range. A delightful finish! Wouter Burger drew Hoffenheim level in the 31st minute, and the two sides were evenly tied at the break.
Hoffenheim surged into the lead through Grischa Promel five minutes after the restart; however, Mohamed Amoura restored parity for Wolfsburg six minutes after Hoffenheim grabbed the lead. Wolfsburg picked Hoffenheim apart brick by brick, and Amoura timed his run to perfection to receive a pass from Sael Kumbedi on the edge of the box. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, he slammed the ball into the net.
Hoffenheim had the last laugh as Wouter Burger restored the away side’s lead in the 62nd minute.
75th-minute substitute Ihlas Bebou netted Hoffenheim’s fourth in the closing minutes, but his goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The Togolese forward is still waiting to open his goalscoring account for the season. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable victory for Hoffenheim while Wolfsburg were left to rue their unconvincing defence.
THE ISMAEL SAIBARI SHOW
Ismael Saibari’s magical performance powered PSV Eindhoven to a thrilling victory in their entertaining fixture against Fortuna Sittard at the Philips Stadium.
Ismael Saibari set the tone for PSV’s rout of Fortuna Sittard in the 17th minute, guiding the home side into the lead with an emphatic header into the top corner from Dennis Man’s cross. Saibari was at it once again, eleven minutes later, burying a stinging shot into the net from Mauro Júnior’s incisive pass to cap off a well-worked team move beautifully. Saibari is in the form of his life! The 24-year-old Moroccan midfielder has been greatly instrumental to PSV’s success this season, netting eight goals across 11 appearances to keep them tied on points with Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord.
Dennis Man rounded up the scoring for PSV with a beautiful solo goal in the additional minutes of the first half as they took a comfortable three-nil advantage into the break. Justin Lonwijk and Kaj Sierhuis pulled two goals back for Fortuna Sittard, but Ricardo Pepi and Guus Til restored PSV’s three-goal advantage. Five goals and three points for PSV as Saibari’s brace led them to a fifth consecutive league victory. Reigning Champions PSV are tied with Feyenoord and are primed to defend their league title.
