Outstanding displays from African athletes have been crucial in achieving significant outcomes for their respective teams.
England
Beto and Mohamed Salah were key players in another thrilling Merseyside derby as Liverpool triumphed over Everton 2-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In this exhilarating match, the Egyptian forward put the Reds in front in the 29th minute, taking Cody Gakpo’s exquisite assist and finishing with a first-time strike.
This goal allowed Salah to equal Steven Gerrard’s record for goals in the derby, as it marked his ninth against the Toffees.
Just six minutes before the hour mark, Beto responded for Everton by sliding in to convert Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross, bringing his tally to eight Premier League goals this season.
The Guinea-Bissau international has now scored in three consecutive league matches, totalling four goals during this streak, the first since a period between 1 February 2025 and 22 February 2025.
The back-and-forth nature of the match reached its conclusion when Virgil van Dijk scored a late header from a corner in stoppage time, sealing the 2-1 victory for Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Spain
Ademola Lookman was in fine form for Atletico Madrid during the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s White and Blues stunned the crowd by taking an early lead after just 14 seconds through Ander Barrenetxea’s looping header, but Diego Simeone’s side gradually fought back.
Lookman levelled the score 18 minutes later, finding space in the box despite facing pressure from three defenders, and coolly slotting a low shot into the bottom corner.
The match remained tense and competitive, with Mikel Oyarzabal regaining the lead for Sociedad before half-time. Lookman’s movement and attacking prowess continued to be crucial for Atletico after the break in a match that swung from end to end.
Despite late opportunities, including a glaring miss from Alex Baena, Atletico couldn’t find a way back as Sociedad maintained their composure to win the trophy in the penalty shootout.
Italy
Nigerian talent Jeff Ekhator was instrumental as Genoa came from behind to achieve a vital 2-1 victory away to Pisa.
The hosts initially took the lead with Simone Canestrelli’s powerful header from Samuele Angori’s corner, with VAR confirming it was legitimate. They had a chance to double their advantage on the counter, but Angori squandered a one-on-one opportunity.
Before the half concluded, Ekhator brought Genoa level. Following quick interplay with Lorenzo Colombo and Tommaso Baldanzi, the young striker unleashed a spectacular left-footed shot that found the roof of the net.
After the interval, Genoa gained momentum and took the lead in the 55th minute with a penalty from Colombo, ultimately securing all three points and moving away from relegation danger.
In another match, M’Bala Nzola became the hero for Sassuolo as they recorded their first home victory over Como, achieving a 2-1 win that handed Cesc Fabregas’s side consecutive defeats for the first time since December.
Como controlled possession early on, looking for scoring chances, yet Sassuolo held firm under pressure. Their persistence paid off just before the break when Nzola dropped deep, releasing Cristian Volpato with a perfectly timed pass, allowing him to score over Jean Butez.
A few moments later, Nzola became the scorer himself, reacting quickly inside the box to net his first goal since November, doubling their lead.
Como pulled one back towards the end of the half via Nico Paz’s looping header, setting the stage for a tense second half, but Sassuolo held on to claim three vital points and move into the top half of Serie A.
Germany
Nicolas Jackson found the net as Bayern Munich secured the 2025/26 Bundesliga title with a resounding 4-2 comeback win over VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.
The guests opened the scoring through Chris Fuhrich in the 20th minute, but the Bavarians equalised through Raphael Guerreiro in the 32nd minute, before Jackson put them ahead a minute later with a close-range finish.
Alphonso Davies added a deflected goal in a first half full of action. England captain Harry Kane came on as a substitute to net a fourth goal shortly after the restart, effectively clinching the title for his team.
Although Stuttgart managed a second through Chema Andres, it couldn’t prevent Vincent Kompany’s team from comfortably wrapping up the victory in a thrilling six-goal contest.
In a different fixture, Serhou Guirassy netted a late equaliser, but it was still not enough as Hoffenheim shocked Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win, with Andrej Kramaric scoring two penalty goals.
The hosts started brightly, and Kramaric converted a penalty in the 42nd minute after a handball by Niklas Sule. Dortmund struggled to find their rhythm even after Guirassy was introduced to their attacking front.
However, the Guinean made an impact in the 87th minute, turning quickly on the edge of the box before firing a powerful shot into the corner to equalise the match.
Yet, deep in injury time, another penalty awarded for handball allowed Kramaric to step up once more and calmly secure the win in the 98th minute.
France
Mostafa Mohamed gave Nantes hope early in the match with a fine strike, but their chances of victory slipped away as Brest equalised late in a dramatic 1-1 draw.
The Egyptian forward opened the scoring in the 10th minute following aggressive pressing from Francis Coquelin, cutting inside and curling a superb shot into the far corner.
In the second half, Nantes aimed for a second goal, but the game shifted when Dehmaine Tabibou was sent off in the 65th minute, leaving them to fight with ten players.
In stoppage time, Brendan Chardonnet scored from a set piece header, dashing Nantes’s hopes of claiming all three points.
Compiled by SportArena.au
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
