Another week of entertaining masterful performances from African footballers. Ismaila Sarr haunted Liverpool again, Adams’ clutch goal, Aubameyang spearheaded Marseille’s fightback, Chaibi’s magical display, and Kamaldeen’s solo goal. We bring you all the action across Europe in this weekly football recap.
SARR ENDS LIVERPOOL’S UNBEATEN STREAK
Ismaila Sarr led Crystal Palace to another memorable victory over Liverpool at Selhurst Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2025/2026 season. Both sides were the only unbeaten Premier League teams going into the fixture; all eyes were on the clash.
Crystal Palace got off to a dream start as Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr netted an early opener in the ninth minute. A Crystal Palace corner was deflected into Sarr’s path by Ryan Gravenberch. Sarr pounced quickly on the loose ball and thumped it behind Alisson. Back in the starting XI, back among the goals! Lift off for Palace! Sarr has become a nightmare for Liverpool in recent years, netting three goals in his last 4 appearances against The Reds.
Palace dominated in the first half but were kept at bay by Alisson’s brilliant saves. Sarr’s goal was the difference between the two sides at the break. A late drama ensued as Federico Chiesa drew Liverpool level in the 87th minute and Eddie Nketiah snatched a last-gasp victory for Palace over the Champions. Crystal Palace are now unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions.
ADAMS COMES OFF THE BENCH TO WIN IT FOR SEVILLA
Nigerian Striker Akor Adams was Sevilla’s hero as he came off the bench to snatch a late victory for the Andalusian side in their La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas. Chances were few and far between in the first half, and the half ended on a goalless note. Desperately searching for the three points, Sevilla’s manager Matías Almeyda looked to his bench for inspiration and introduced Akor Adams into the fray for Isaac Romero in the 69th minute.
Adams justified his manager’s decision, blasting home the winner in the 87th minute. José Ángel Carmona teased an inviting cutback to an unmarked Adams in the box, and the Nigerian striker’s thundering shot cannoned off the crossbar into the net to cap off a sweeping team move. Off the mark! A perfect occasion to net his maiden La Liga goal for Sevilla. His goal was the difference at the full-time whistle as Sevilla returned to winning while Rayo was condemned to another loss.
KAMALDEEN’S MAGIC LIFTS ATALANTA
Kamaldeen Sulemana scored Atalanta’s sole goal as they played out to a thrilling draw against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. The match got off to a lively start for Juventus, going close on multiple occasions, but Atalanta survived the attacking onslaught and the scores remained deadlocked.
As the half seemed destined to end in a stalemate, Kamaldeen Sulemana singlehandedly dragged Atalanta into the lead. Sulemana picked up a loose ball in Juve’s half smartly, took the ball in his strides, danced through the opposition defence, evading one challenge after another, and discharged a stinging shot into the net. Atalanta’s first shot on target; goal! A magical solo goal! The floodgates have opened for the Ghanaian winger, and he has scored in consecutive appearances for Atalanta.
Sulemana was substituted in the 61st minute, and Juventus drew level through Juan Cabal in the 78th minute, taking full advantage of a defensive howler by Atalanta. Marten de Roon received his marching orders in the 80th minute, which didn’t help Atalanta’s cause, and they failed to retake the lead. A satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable fixture!
CHAIBI SPARKLES IN FRANKFURT ROUT
Fares Chaibi put on a magical display as Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Borussia Monchengladbach in a ten-goal thriller at Borussia-Park.
Frankfurt arrived on the back of a two-game losing run, while Monchengladbach were winless in eleven games, and both sides were eager to snag the three points.
Robin Koch got Frankfurt off to a delightful start in the 11th minute, flicking his header into the net from Chaibi’s pinpoint cross. Ansgar Knauff and Jonathan Burkardt tripled Frankfurt’s lead within twenty minutes, and Fares Chaibi added a fourth in the 39th minute. Ritsu Dōan put the ball on a plate for Chaibi, and the Algerian midfielder guided the ball into the net from close range. A simple finish! Goalscorer turned provider as Chaibi set up Can Uzun in the additional minutes of stoppage time. Chaibi flicked a pass deftly to Uzin, and the young midfielder powered the ball into the net. Five unreplied goals, a first-half rout! An attacking masterclass!
This season, Chaibi has become a vital cog in the Frankfurt side and has reclaimed his starting spot. Frankfurt added a fourth through Robin Koch two minutes after the restart to extend their lead further. Monchengladbach mounted a spirited fightback in the later stages of the second half, netting four goals through Jens Castrop, Haris Tabaković, Yannik Engelhardt, and Grant-Leon Ranos. Still, it was not enough to wrest control from Frankfurt’s hands.
AUBAMEYANG FIRES MARSEILLE TO THE TOP OF LIGUE 1
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to snatch the three points for Olympique Marseille against RC Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau.
A fiery first half that saw the referee brandish five yellow cards ended on a goalless note as neither side managed to find the breakthrough. Both sides picked up from where they left off after the first half, and half-time substitute Abdoul Ouattara put Strasbourg ahead four minutes into the second half. It was a classic counterattack move! Emanuel Emegha was released down the right flank, and he slipped an inviting cross to Ouattara, who rifled the ball into an empty net.
Introduced at the interval for Kendry Paez, Ouattara instantly justified his inclusion. Despite a VAR check for offside, the goal stood. The 19-year-old midfielder is off the mark for Strasbourg this season. Roberto De Zerbi reacted to Strasbourg’s opener by introducing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 58th minute, and he didn’t disappoint, drawing Marseille level in the 78th minute. Aubameyang’s predatory instincts were in full motion as he reacted swiftly to the rebound from his saved shot and blasted it into the net. Game on! The goal was his third Ligue 1 goal of the season.
Amir Murillo netted a dramatic winner for Marseille in the additional minutes of stoppage time, completing their scintillating comeback. A clutch goal from Aubameyang as Marseille surged to the top of the Ligue 1 table, usurping PSG at the summit.
