Club football returned with a bang, and African footballers performed superbly across Europe, bagging plaudits and stealing headlines as they propelled their clubs to famous victories. From Bryan Mbeumo to Paul Onuachu to Bazoumana Toure to Frank Magri and Seko Fofana, we bring you all the action across Europe in this new weekly football recap episode.
MBEUMO FIRES UNITED TO HISTORIC WIN
Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal fired Manchester United to a famous victory against Liverpool FC at Anfield.
United aimed to secure consecutive league victories, while Liverpool sought to overcome a recent slump in form.
With barely two minutes on the clock, United caught Liverpool in possession and Bryan Mbeumo struck decisively before the Reds had a chance to regroup.
Amad Diallo teased a beautiful pass in behind Liverpool’s defence, and Mbeumo raced forward purposefully, applying a sublime finish to cap off a quick break—his second PL goal for United this season. Liverpool came close, but Cody Gakpo was unlucky, hitting the upright twice before the first half came to a close. Mbeumo’s goal was the difference between the two sides.
Cody Gakpo notched an equaliser for Liverpool in the 78th minute, but Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header lifted United to victory against their old foes. United’s first win at Anfield since 2016! Consecutive league victories for Man United and a third straight defeat for Liverpool. Contrasting fortunes!
MAGRI AND GBOHO NET IN ROUT
Frank Magri and Yann Gboho were among the goals as Toulouse thrashed FC Metz resoundingly at the Stadium de Toulouse.
Cameroonian Striker Frank Magri opened the scoring for Toulouse in the 2nd minute of the game. Receiving a pass from Emerson Da Silva on the edge of the box, Magri skipped past the defender deftly, cut in on his left foot, and curled the ball into the net. Lift off! The goal was his fourth goal of the campaign. He has started the season in blinding form and needs one more goal to match his goal tally from the last two Ligue 1 seasons.
Aron Donnum doubled Toulouse’s advantage from the penalty spot six minutes after their opening goal. Two goals down, Metz’s luck worsened as Senegalese Sadibou Sané was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge in the additional minutes of stoppage time.
Possessing a numerical advantage, Toulouse piled on the pressure after the restart and extended their lead further through Yann Gboho’s stunner in the 79th minute. Gboho reacted quickly to a flicked header from Charlie Cresswell in the box and, taking a touch to set the ball up on the turn, he thundered into the net on the half volley. A superb finish!
Charlie Cresswell added a fourth in the 84th minute with a well-placed header. A total decimation of Metz and a memorable day for the Toulouse fans. Toulouse have now registered consecutive league victories while Metz remain winless at the bottom of Ligue 1.
SINAYOKO RESCUES POINT FOR AUXERRE
Lassine Sinayoko and Daniel Loader were among the goals as AJ Auxerre played out to a thrilling draw against Stade Rennes at Roazhon Park.
Cameroonian forward Danny Namaso got Auxerre off to a perfect start in the eighth minute of the game, benefitting from a defensive howler to prod the ball into the net from the edge of the box. Goal number two of the season for Namaso. Breel Embolo’s 18th-minute header drew the game level, and there was nothing to separate the two sides at the break.
Both sides came out flying out of the blocks after the restart, and Rennes drew first blood, surging ahead through Seko Fofana’s emphatic left-footed finish in the 56th minute. Rennes picked Auxerre apart piece by piece, and Fofana applied the finish from Esteban Lepaul’s incisive pass to cap off a sweeping team move. Deficit overturned! The Ivorian midfielder has matched his goal tally from last season.
The two sides upped the tempo of their performances. Following a VAR intervention, Auxerre were offered a lifeline from the penalty spot after Lassine Sinayoko was brought down in the box. Sinayoko stepped up and buried the penalty decisively in the 72nd minute, sending the goalie the wrong way. The goal was the Malian striker’s fourth goal involvement in eight Ligue 1 appearances, and he singlehandedly dragged them back into the contest. A subject of transfer interest in the summer, His growing importance to the team highlights Auxerre’s refusal to part ways with him. The game ended on level terms.
TOURE NETS IN ROUT
Bazoumana Touré set TSG Hoffenheim on their way to a resounding three-nil victory against FC St. Pauli away from home at the Millerntor-Stadion. The two sides were evenly tied in the first half and went to the break on level terms.
Hoffenheim drew first blood as Bazoumana Toure scored the opening goal in the 54th minute. Andrej Kramaric spotted Toure’s darting run down the left flank and picked him out with a pinpoint defence-splitting pass. Toure hit the ball first time into the net, and his shot cannoned off the upright on the way in—the Ivorian winger’s first goal of the season. Five minutes after going ahead, Andrej Kramaric doubled their lead, and Grischa Prömel added the icing on the cake in the 79th minute. Hoffenheim returned to winning ways as they condemned St. Pauli to a fourth straight defeat.
ONUACHU NETS IN FOURTH STRAIGHT MATCH
Paul Onuachu fired Trabzonspor to a third consecutive league victory in their Turkish Super Lig fixture against Rizespor at the Caykur Didi Stadium.
Felipe Augusto netted the opener for Trabzonspor in the 2nd minute of the game, stunning the home fans into silence. Mr Inevitable, Paul Onuachu got in on the act too in the 19th minute, doubling Trabzonspor’s lead in trademark fashion. Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Oulaï teased an inviting cross into the box, and utilising his aerial dominance, Onuachu planted a bullet header into the top corner, leaving the goalie rooted to the spot in awe. He simply can’t stop scoring! Another game, another goal!
Paul Onuachu has been on a lethal goalscoring streak, scoring five goals in his last four appearances for Trabzonspor. He has registered eight goal involvements across nine league appearances this season, and with seven goals, he is the highest goalscorer in the Turkish Super Lig.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi halved the deficit for Rizespor in the 27th minute, capitalising on a gaping defensive howler by Trabzonspor. Rizespor pushed desperately for the equaliser, but Trabzonspor ultimately held on for the three points, keeping their heels on the shoulders of league leaders Galatasaray.
