Guirassy leads standout African performers on Champions League opening night

The 2026/27 Champions League league phase began with several African players making a decisive impact, from match-winning goals and debut strikes to dramatic comebacks.

Guirassy delivers on landmark Dortmund appearance

Serhou Guirassy produced the performance of the opening round as Borussia Dortmund defeated Villarreal 3-2 in the Guinea international’s 100th appearance for the German club.

The 30-year-old put Dortmund back in front with an 80th-minute goal before converting a penalty five minutes later. His brace ultimately secured all three points, despite a late own goal giving Villarreal hope.

Guirassy’s two goals also moved him level with Erling Haaland as the joint-top scorer in this season’s Champions League.

Jackson opens Aston Villa account

Nicolas Jackson scored his first goal for Aston Villa during their 3-2 victory over Club Bruges at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

The Senegal international struck in the 43rd minute to give Villa a 3-1 lead at half-time. The goal came against familiar opponents, with Jackson having already scored against Club Bruges last season while playing for Bayern Munich.

It was the forward’s fourth Champions League goal of his career and continued his record of making an early impact after joining a new club.

Catamo helps Sporting recover

Sporting CP overcame an early setback to beat their opponents 3-1, with Geny Catamo playing a key role in the turnaround.

Goncalo Inacio put through his own net in the sixth minute, but Mozambique international Catamo restored parity in the 27th minute. The goal was his third in the Champions League and came during his third campaign in the competition, underlining his growing influence at European level.

Diao marks debut with goal

Assane Diao began both his Champions League career and Come’s campaign in the competition with a goal in a 4-1 win against RB Leipzig.

The 21-year-old attacker completed Come’s third goal in the 54th minute after a skilful piece of play ended with a precise finish.

Diao had scored twice against Genoa in Serie A the previous weekend. His latest contribution extended an impressive start to the season and gave him a first European goal on his Champions League debut.

Sima inspires Lens comeback

Abdallah Sima played a crucial part in RC Lens’ dramatic 3-2 win away to his former club, Slavia Prague.

Lens were behind twice, but the Senegalese forward levelled the match at 1-1 in the 72nd minute to begin the recovery. Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar then completed the comeback with goals in added time.

The goal carried particular significance for Sima, who was developed and first emerged at Slavia Prague between 2020 and 2021. The victory also gave Lens their first away win in the Champions League since 1998.