It was a productive week for Africans in Europe’s major leagues, as many played decisive roles for their clubs, despite experiencing contrasting fortunes.
England
Dango Ouattara marked his Brentford debut with a decisive strike as the Bees edged Aston Villa 1-0 in their first home match of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The 23-year-old forward struck in the 12th minute to secure Keith Andrews’ side their opening victory of the campaign at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ouattara, a recent signing from Bournemouth, was handed a starting spot just a week after joining the club. Jordan Henderson also featured from the outset, making his full debut in midfield.
The breakthrough came when goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher picked out Igor Thiago with a lofted ball from deep. The Brazilian’s clever flick released the African, who surged into the box. His initial effort was blocked by Emiliano Martínez, but the rebound fell kindly, allowing the Burkina Faso international to calmly slot into an unguarded net.
At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest shared the points in an evenly contested clash that ended 1-1.
Ismala Sarr opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, finishing calmly after a flowing move that carved open the Forest defence.
Palace looked in control for long spells, but their advantage was undone shortly after the restart. A swift counter-attack from the visitors released Callum Hudson-Odoi, who raced clear and struck a precise effort beyond the goalkeeper to restore parity.
Both sides pressed for a late winner, yet neither could find the decisive touch in front of goal.
Spain
Cote d’Ivoire international Nicolas Pepe was on the scoresheet as Villarreal cruised to a dominant 5-0 win over Girona.
Fresh from their opening-day victory against Real Oviedo, the Yellow Submarine flew out of the blocks, netting twice inside the first 16 minutes.
The former Arsenal man opened the scoring in the seventh minute, punishing a defensive lapse before calmly slotting past Vladyslav Krapyvtsov.
Tajon Buchanan stole the headlines with a superb hat-trick, while Pepe’s lively display earned him a standing ovation as he made way for Morocco’s Ilias Akhomach on 63 minutes.
Germany
Ghanaian youngster Ilyas Ansah enjoyed a dream Bundesliga debut, scoring twice to inspire Union Berlin to a 2-1 win over Stuttgart at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
The 20-year-old opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that crashed in off the post.
He doubled Union’s lead on the stroke of half-time, finishing confidently from Andrej Ilic’s assist. In doing so, Ansah made history as the first Union Berlin player to score a brace on his Bundesliga debut.
Although Tiago Tomas pulled one back late for Stuttgart, Union held firm to claim all three points.
In another fixture, Algeria international Mohamed Amoura opened his league account as Wolfsburg eased past FC Heidenheim.
Introduced in the 64th minute for Dzenan Pejcinovic, he sealed the 3-1 victory from the penalty spot, adding to his side’s advantage after they had already taken a 2-1 lead.
Elsewhere, Serhou Guirassy was on target as Borussia Dortmund were held to a 3-3 draw by St Pauli.
The Guinea international opened the scoring in the 34th minute, heading in a precise Marcel Sabitzer cross to reach 65 Bundesliga goals in just 102 appearances, a feat bettered by only five players in league history.
But Dortmund let victory slip away late on, conceding an 86th-minute penalty converted by Danel Sinani before Eric Smith struck three minutes later to earn the Hamburg side a dramatic point.
France
Marseille put a turbulent week behind them with a resounding 5-2 victory over Paris FC at the Velodrome, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice.
The Gabon forward won a penalty converted by Mason Greenwood before adding a second himself midway through the first half.
Newly promoted side Paris FC fought back through Ilan Kebbal and Moses Simon, but Aubameyang restored Marseille’s advantage before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and youngster Robinio Vaz sealed the win late on.
The result offered relief for Roberto De Zerbi’s side after last weekend’s crisis, when a post-match dressing-room brawl between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe overshadowed their opening defeat at Rennes.
Mali international Fode Doucoure found the net for Le Havre, but his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Lens at the Stade Oceane.
Wesley Said opened the scoring from the spot in the ninth minute after Arouna Sangante’s handball, before Rayan Fofana doubled the visitors’ lead with a stunning strike.
Doucoure pulled one back on the stroke of half-time with a fine finish, yet it proved only a consolation.
Toulouse ended their nine-match winless run against Stade Brestois in Ligue 1 as Frank Magri struck twice in a 2-0 victory at the Stadium de Toulouse.
After a goalless first half, the Cameroon international broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, firing past Radosław Majecki at the near post.
Magri doubled his tally 13 minutes later, showcasing fine footwork to round the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net.