Olympique Marseille booked their place in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase after recording an entertaining 4-3 Group B win over 10-man Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday night.
The French outfit were favourites for this tie but had to work extra hard to get the three points.
They began with Aubameyang netting from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr was brought down in the box. It however didn’t take too long for Ajax to respond with Brian Brobbey equalising a minute later.
DR Congo defender Chancel Mbemba reestablished Marseille’s lead in the 26th minute but it did not last long again as Brobbey equalised four minutes later.
The goals continued in the second half with Aubameyang netting his second of the night and Marseille’s third in the 47th minute with a sensational bicycle. Misery would follow Ajax next as Steven Berghuis was given a straight red card in the 51st minute for a dangerous challenge on Joaquin Correa.
THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!!
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— Olympique de Marseille ???????? ???????? (@OM_English) November 30, 2023
Despite the setback, Ajax still able to the equalise for the third time on the night thanks to Anglo-Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom with 11 minutes left on the clock. The Dutch giants were however unable to hold on to a point as Aubameyang completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in added time after goalkeeper Diant Ramaj made a clumsy challenge in the box.
Marseille were joined by Brighton & Hove Albion in progressing to the knockout phase after their 1-0 away win at 10-man AEK Athens.
In other Europa League results that had African players on the scoresheet, Nigeria’s Victor Boniface registered his name in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Hacken which ensured they finished top of Group H and will head directly into the Round of 16.
What a matchday ????#UEL pic.twitter.com/G3vta8kfFI
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 30, 2023
Egyptian Superstar Mohamed Salah was another player to find the back of the net, doing so from the penalty spot in Liverpool’s 4-0 home bashing of Austrian side LASK which also guaranteed a top spot finish in Group E.
