African players delivered decisive performances across Europe’s major leagues this weekend, as domestic football resumed following the long international break.
Here are five of the standout displays from the latest round of fixtures.
Bachir Belloumi rescues Hull City
Bachir Belloumi came off the bench to secure Hull City a 2-2 draw against Everton in the sixth round of the Premier League.
The Algeria international was introduced in the 64th minute, with the Tigers trailing 2-1 after Thierno Barry had scored for Everton. Ten minutes later, Belloumi collected the ball inside the area and fired a low shot beyond Jordan Pickford to level the match.
The goal maintained Hull City’s unbeaten home record and means Belloumi has now played a direct part in five of the club’s eight league goals this season, scoring three and providing two assists.
Hull City have nine points and sit eighth after six matches.
Yan Diomande decides tight Real Madrid game
Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 1-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday in the eighth round of La Liga.
Making his first start at the Bernabeu, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Federico Valverde released him into space and Diomande cut inside before placing a right-footed shot into the far corner. The goal stood after a VAR review.
He was replaced by Denzel Dumfries in the 86th minute and then watched on as Real, reduced to 10 men following Vinicius’ dismissal, held on to their lead.
Real Madrid have 18 points and are third in the table.
Boulaye Dia seals Rennes victory
Boulaye Dia transformed a narrow Rennes lead into a convincing 4-1 win against Auxerre at Roazhon Park.
The Senegal international, who is on loan from Lazio, entered the match in the 77th minute with Rennes leading 2-1. He struck twice in added time, scoring in the 90th+2 and 90th+4 minutes to complete the victory.
The goals were Dia’s first in the league this season. He had not scored since March.
Rennes are third with 13 points, one behind leaders Monaco.
Ismael Saibari helps Bayern recover
Ismael Saibari scored Bayern’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw away to Augsburg in the fifth round of the Bundesliga.
Starting as the number 10 behind Harry Kane in the absence of Jamal Musiala, the Morocco international helped the champions recover after Manuel Neuer’s error allowed Augsburg to take the lead in the opening seconds.
Saibari controlled Kane’s lay-off before finishing in the 55th minute. He was substituted for Serge Gnabry after 67 minutes and has now scored twice in the Bundesliga this season.
Bayern have 11 points and are third, two behind Dortmund and Freiburg.
Jay Enem gives Bologna first win
Jay Enem scored the winner as Bologna beat Lecce 2-1 on Sunday to claim their first victory of the Serie A season.
The forward, who is of Nigerian origin, replaced Piccoli in the 62nd minute. After Fatah equalised two minutes later, Enem turned in Nicolo Cambiaghi’s low cross after only 13 minutes on the pitch.
It was his first Serie A goal. Bologna have five points and are 13th, just behind Lecce, who have six.