Conference League: Gaoussou Diakite scores a beauty for Lausanne

Lausanne-Sport’s form in the Swiss Super League has been less than stellar but Gaoussou Diakite kept up the club’s strong form in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.

The rising Malian talent curled in a beautiful goal to give the Swiss side a 1-0 victory at Hamrun Spartans in Malta as Lausanne remain in contention to advance.

Receiving a pass from Kévin Mouanga, the 20-year-old had plenty of room to produce an effort that curled beyond the reach of Spartans and Malta national team goalkeeper Henry Bonello to make the difference. Diakite now has four goals from eight matches through the league phase and qualifying stages of the Conference League.

Mouanga, eligible to represent Congo-Brazzaville at the international level, helped the Lausanne defense hold off a strong effort from their Maltese hosts who launched plenty of assaults. Another Congo-Brazzaville international, left back Morgan Poaty, was also involved as the Lausanne defense kept a clean sheet to move into fourth place on the league phase table.

A disastrous start left Lausanne towards the bottom of the Swiss Super League table, but the club is beginning to find their form in domestic league play. They are unbeaten in their last four league matches and have climbed up to ninth place in the twelve-team Swiss top flight.

But there is plenty to aim for in both domestic and continental competition. Lausanne return to league play for three matches before hosting Cypriot club Omonia in their next Conference League fixture on November 6. Diakite, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg after joining from Malian partner club Guidars FC in 2024, now has 8 goals and an assist in 15 matches across all competitions.