Five African players who made the difference in Europe this weekend

African players produced a series of decisive displays across Europe’s leading leagues this weekend, with goals and assists directly shaping results in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.

Here are five of the standout performances from the latest round of fixtures.

Ezechiel Banzuzi

Leipzig recovered from conceding to Anton Kade in the opening minute to beat Augsburg 5-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Ezechiel Banzuzi providing the turning point.

The Congolese international was picked out by Brajan Gruda and levelled in the 33rd minute with a left-footed strike. Christopher Nkunku put Leipzig ahead a minute later before the home side took control.

Banzuzi completed all four of his attempted dribbles and recorded an 83% pass-completion rate. He now has two league goals and two assists this season. Leipzig are fourth on 18 points, three behind both Bayern and Dortmund.

Thierno Barry

Thierno Barry scored twice and created another goal as Everton came from behind to beat Coventry 3-1 in the Premier League on Friday.

The Franco-Guinean forward headed in Vitaliy Mykolenko’s cross in the 56th minute to make it 1-1. Five minutes later, he put Everton in front after the goal was confirmed following a VAR review.

Barry then set up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to complete the comeback nine minutes from time. The 24-year-old has scored six league goals and is now three behind top scorer Erling Haaland. Everton moved up to sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea.

Yassir Zabiri

Yassir Zabiri secured a 2-1 victory for Racing Santander away to Malaga at La Rosaleda on Saturday in the 12th round of Liga fixtures.

Malaga had taken the lead before Iker Luque restored parity. Racing then moved ahead in the 60th minute when the Moroccan international followed up after Alfonso Herrero had saved Pablo Garcia’s shot, finishing into an almost unguarded net.

Zabiri had another goal ruled out for offside in the 84th minute. He has nine league goals, making him the fourth-highest scorer in the Liga. Racing remain 10th, while the result was their first away win and left Malaga bottom on five points.

Lassine Sinayoko

Lassine Sinayoko scored the only goal as Paris FC beat his former club Auxerre 1-0 on Saturday in Ligue 1.

The Mali international gave Paris FC the lead in the 63rd minute, making a slight deflection to a Pablo Pagis effort. In a tight match, Cameron Archer had a goal disallowed for handball in the 38th minute, while Paris FC had 66% possession and converted their only clear chance.

Sinayoko has now scored nine goals in 10 matches and remains the league’s leading scorer. He has contributed to 14 of Paris FC’s 17 goals, or 82%. After 10 rounds, the club are fourth with 20 points.

Michel Adopo

Michel Adopo ended Cagliari’s run of defeats by scoring the opening goal in a 1-0 win over Frosinone in Serie A on Saturday.

The Franco-Ivorian midfielder was played in by Paul Mendy in the 38th minute, moved into a central position and struck right-footed from the edge of the area, sending the ball under the crossbar.

It was Adopo’s first league goal of the season. Cagliari had only 36% possession and faced 29 shots, but held on with the help of Elia Caprile. The victory ended a run of four successive defeats and moved Cagliari to ninth on 16 points. Adopo also has two Serie A assists this season.