UEFA Conference League: Sarr strikes again; Ouattara and Godo lead Strasbourg comeback

Senegal national team star Ismaïla Sarr is getting closer and closer to becoming the top scorer in the UEFA Conference League after scoring as Crystal Palace advanced to the semifinals on Thursday.

Sarr puts Palace beyond reach early to advance in UEFA Conference League

Heading into the second leg of their clash with Fiorentina on the back of a 3-0 first leg victory at home, Palace fell to a 1-2 defeat in Italy but it was more than enough to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Combining with right back Daniel Muñoz in the 17th minute, Sarr got on the end of the Colombian’s cross to head in the opening goal. While hosts Fiorentina were able to come back and win the second leg, Sarr’s goal discouraged any hopes for home supporters who wished for an aggregate victory for Viola.

Sarr now has seven goals in twelve Conference League matches, leaving him one behind co-leading scorers Mikael Ishak and Chadian forward Marius Mouandilmandji who are both on clubs now eliminated from the competition.

 

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Top performances from African players were not limited to Sarr on Thursday. French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg made a mockery of their 0-2 first leg defeat to Mainz by crushing the German Bundesliga club 4-0 at home in the second leg.

Soon after Sebatian Nanasi opened the scoring for the hosts in the 26th minute, Ivorian midfielder Abdoul Ouattara leveled the aggregate score before halftime.

Julio Enciso, who set up Ouattara’s goal with a stellar cross, then put Strasbourg ahead for good in the 69th minute courtesy of Martial Godo’s assist. Godo, recognized for his excellent season by being named in the shortlist for Ligue 1’s Prix Marc-Vivien Foé which is given to the best African player in the French top flight, now has 15 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season.

But for Angolan forward Zini, his outstanding performance was not quite enough for his club to advance. Getting a rare start for AEK Athens in a season filled with injuries, Zini scored twice but a 3-1 second leg victory was not enough to overtake Rayo Vallecano who won 4-3 on aggregate.

 

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The Angolan opened the scoring and the hosts went ahead 2-0 by halftime before Zini doubled his tally early in the second half to level the aggregate score at 3-3. However, the visitors scored on the hour mark to break the hearts of supporters in the Greek capital.

Zini now has 4 goals from 23 matches in all competitions this season.