Mamadou Doumbia scores in Watford victory

Mali national team rising forward Mamadou Doumbia found the net for the fifth time this season as Watford overcame Derby County 2-0 on Saturday in the EFL Championship.

The 20-year-old striker continues to show signs of positive development with The Bees and he came off the bench to make it 5 goals in 23 matches this campaign.

With the hosts ahead 1-0 in second half stoppage time, Doumbia received a pass and held the ball up before distributing out to the left wing. He then made an intelligent run to the far post to tap in a cross from Marc Bola to seal the victory.

In your heeeead 🎶

Mamadou Doumbia finishing off Derby in style 👏 pic.twitter.com/28OtoY9xts

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) February 21, 2026

While Doumbia has yet to be a regular goal scorer in his second season at the club, he continues to improve his ability to hold the ball while showing advanced intelligence for a player of his age.

The Hertfordshire club are three points back of a top-6 position on the table, which would put them in the promotion chase for English Premier League football. The teams ranked third through sixth qualify for a four-team promotion playoff. Next up for The Bees is a home test against fourth place Ipswich Town.

Doumbia was with the Mali team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco but did not make an appearance as Les Aigles exited in the quarterfinals. He currently has one goal in five appearances for Mali.