European-based African stars: Semenyo nets in City's demolition of Liverpool

Manchester City's Ghanaian midfielder Antoine Semenyo sparked celebrations after scoring his team's third goal in the English FA Cup quarter-final match against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 4, 2026.

The 26-year-old winger has made a significant impact since joining Manchester City from Bournemouth in January, netting eight goals, including the third goal in the 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool, which secured City's spot in the semi-finals against Southampton.

Semenyo expressed his team's ambition, stating, "I feel there's so much aspiration, so many goals that we want to achieve this season," and emphasized the need to maintain momentum, saying, "Every game's the final now, so we just have to keep pushing and see what happens."

In the FA Cup quarter-final match, Semenyo scored in the 50th minute, racing onto Rayan Cherki's pass and chipping the ball over Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, on the other hand, had a disappointing match, missing a penalty in the second half, which was saved by Manchester City's goalkeeper James Trafford, adding to his team's misery in a season that has been underwhelming for the Egyptian forward.

Salah's penalty miss was particularly notable, as it came after he had announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, ending a nine-year spell that included Premier League and Champions League titles.

In Spain, Ilaix Moriba played a crucial role in Celta Vigo's 3-2 win over Valencia, scoring the first goal for his team early in the second half and adding an assist for Williot Swedberg.

Randy Nteka, an Angola international, scored a vital goal for Rayo Vallecano, earning a 1-0 win over Elche with a well-timed finish, diverting a low cross into the net with 15 minutes remaining in the match.

In Germany, Edmond Tapsoba continued his impressive form, scoring from close range in Bayer Leverkusen's 6-3 win over Wolfsburg, putting the hosts ahead after the scores were locked at 3-3 midway through the second half.

Tapsoba's goal marked his fifth of the season, making him the top-scoring central defender in the Bundesliga, a significant achievement considering he had not scored in the league since January 2023.

Ibrahim Maza, a Berlin-born Algeria midfielder, played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen's comeback win, winning an early penalty and scoring his team's fifth goal to seal the victory.

In France, Marshall Munetsi, a Zimbabwe international on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scored a crucial goal for Paris FC, earning a 1-1 draw against Lorient after Senegalese Bamba Dieng had put the hosts ahead in the second half.

Munetsi's goal came in the 74th minute, as he nodded the ball into the net after Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo parried a cross, securing a valuable point for Paris FC.