LEICESTER, England — African football stars made waves in Europe over the weekend, showcasing their talents in critical matches across various leagues.
Leicester City finally broke their 12-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory against Southampton at King Power Stadium. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Leicester striker put the Foxes on the scoreboard after receiving a perfect setup from Morocco’s international. Just before halftime, Ghanaian striker made it 2-0 with a stunning volley, helping Leicester secure their first win in a long while.
Meanwhile, at Goodison Park, Guinea-Bissau international was on target for Everton in a lively 2-2 draw against relegated Ipswich Town. He scored with a well-placed header in the 26th minute off a precise cross from Carlos Alcaraz. Despite going ahead with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box ten minutes later, Everton couldn’t hold on, conceding two late goals to Ipswich.
Brighton also saw action, where Gambia international opened the scoring in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle, marking his sixth goal of the season. In the 28th minute, he tucked the ball into the net following an assist from a young Dutch talent. However, Brighton’s hopes for a win were dashed when Newcastle equalized with a late penalty.
In Brentford’s thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United, DR Congo international continued his impressive run, finding the net in the 74th minute. He wasn’t the only one, as a substitute for Manchester United scored late to fight back, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Turning to Italy, Senegal‘s international scored the only goal for Lazio in their crucial 1-0 victory against Empoli, netting just 54 seconds into the match. Empoli’s hopes for recovery dwindled after a red card in the 38th minute sealed their fate.
In a standout match, reigning African Player of the Year broke his six-game goal drought, contributing to Atalanta’s dominant 4-0 win over Monza. After two early goals, he found the net in the 47th minute, pushing Atalanta closer to securing a Champions League spot.
In Spain, Villarreal managed a strong 4-2 win over Osasuna, with former Arsenal player contributing significantly with a goal and two assists. This win positions Villarreal favorably in their quest for Champions League qualification.
In Germany, a remarkable brace from propelled Borussia Dortmund to a resounding 4-0 triumph against Wolfsburg. With goals coming in the first half, Dortmund continues to climb the Bundesliga table, sitting solidly in fifth place.
