Top Five: Moroccan Wizard Steals the Show Against Liverpool as Arab Snipers Hit Real Madrid and Barcelona

Key moments this week

Arab stars lit up European stadiums with memorable performances, showcasing the growing influence of players from the region across top leagues.

Profiles and highlights

Moroccan winger Shihab Driouch starred for PSV Eindhoven in a 4-1 Champions League win over Liverpool, scoring twice and earning wide praise for his performances. The 23-year-old joined Eindhoven in July 2024 from Excelsior and is under contract with the Dutch club until 2029, having come through Heracles’ academy. His display included two goals, three key passes and 14 touches, highlighting his role as a dynamic attacker for his team.

Ayoub Kaabi continued to shine for Olympiakos, scoring against Real Madrid in a dramatic 4-3 European clash and producing strong showings this season with nine goals and two assists in the Greek league. He has also troubled Barcelona and Real Madrid, testing the Spanish defenses and contributing to his team's European campaigns.

Syrian Mahmoud Dawood propelled Eintracht Frankfurt to a 4-3 victory at Cologne, scoring the second goal and playing 78 minutes before being substituted. Since arriving in 2024 on a free transfer from Brighton, Dawood has continued to be a key squad member, with teammates like El Issa Xhiri and others involved in the action that day.

Moroccan Yassin Belkhadem stood out for Angers, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Toulouse. The 23-year-old has risen through the ranks since March 2024 and has already contributed a goal and two assists this season, signaling a bright future in Ligue 1.

Algerian Issa Mandi delivered for Lille in a 4-2 victory over Paris FC, starting and scoring in the 13th minute. The 34-year-old defender joined Lille in August 2024 from Villarreal and has since accumulated extensive international experience with Algeria (109 caps, 7 goals). His performances have fortified Lille's defense and added an attacking edge from the back.

Across Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, and the Greek and Dutch leagues, these players demonstrated that Arab talents are making a meaningful impact on Europe’s big stages. The week’s highlights remind fans that the continent’s top leagues remain a fertile ground for emerging stars from the region.

Punchline time: If football were a sniper’s rifle, these shots would come with a celebratory “clang” as the net sings. Punchline two: These goals hit with such precision that even my fantasy team started providing post-match applause—in HD, of course.