Internationals: Mbemba heroic, Aubameyang valiant as CAF and UEFA action continues

Chancel Mbemba sends DR Congo into the play-off final

It was heartbreak for Cameroon. If Nigeria–Gabon delivered emotion, Cameroon vs DR Congo produced pure drama. Under heavy rain in Rabat, the match was tight, physical, tense, and cagey for almost the entire 90 minutes.

Then, in the 92nd minute, came the moment that changed everything. Chancel Mbemba – Lille’s captain and DR Congo’s leader – rose highest to head home the winning goal.

A corner from the right, a perfectly timed run, and a powerful finish at the far post. The Leopards erupted. The FIFA World Cup dream was alive. For Cameroon, it was devastating.

They had pushed hard in the final minutes, especially through Etta Eyong and Vincent Aboubakar, but their lack of accuracy in the box proved costly. Bryan Mbeumo had come closest, racing through on goal before sending his effort just wide. Onana kept them alive with several key saves, including a superb block on Bakambu, but eventually the pressure told.

The 1–0 defeat means Cameroon will not play in a ninth World Cup, a huge shock for one of Africa’s traditional giants. For DR Congo, it marks their first appearance in a World Cup play-off final in 50 years.
They will meet Nigeria on Sunday at 20:00 in Rabat for Africa’s final ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Aubameyang's gabon defeated

Nigeria’s 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon in Rabat had all the ingredients of a heavyweight knockout tie – tension, mistakes, emotion, and outstanding individual performances. And throughout the night, it was impossible to miss the strong Ligue 1 influence on both sides.

For 90 minutes, Victor Osimhen was living a nightmare in front of goal. The former Lille striker missed two huge chances deep into added time, including one clear one-on-one. But everything changed in extra-time. With two powerful, clinical finishes, Osimhen reminded everyone of the qualities that once made him one of Ligue 1’s most feared forwards. His double (102’, 110’) put the match out of reach and sent Nigeria into Sunday’s “Final Four” play-off final.

The opening goal had also come from a player with Ligue 1 roots.
Akor Adams, who impressed during his spell at Montpellier, pounced on a defensive error in the 78th minute to put the Super Eagles ahead. It was a poacher’s goal in a high-pressure moment.

Gabon, however, found a response through Mario Lemina, who has worn the colours of Lorient, Marseille and Nice. His deflected strike in the 89th minute rewarded a performance full of drive and character. But once the match stretched into extra-time, Nigeria’s physical superiority and attacking depth – much of it shaped in Ligue 1 – took over. Chidera Ejuke made it 2–1 before Osimhen’s decisive brace sealed an emphatic victory.

Vitinha the bright spot as Portugal suffer a frustrating defeat

Across Europe, Ligue 1 players were equally prominent. In Dublin, Portugal fell 2–0 to Ireland on a night marked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever international red card. Amid the turbulence, Vitinha once again stood out. The PSG midfielder was composed on the ball, clean in possession, and one of the few Portuguese players capable of controlling the tempo.

Elsewhere, Italy push late to stay alive & Norway win big

Italy needed a win in Moldova and eventually earned it, scoring twice late to secure a 2–0 victory. Despite dominating the ball, the Azzurri struggled for long stretches to break down Moldova’s deep block. In Oslo, Norway produced one of the performances of the evening. Four goals in twelve minutes blew the match wide open and pushed the Norwegians closer to qualification. Hungary also made an important step by beating Armenia 1–0, with Dominik Szoboszlai once again influential. His assist for the winning goal was another reminder of his ability to shape high-pressure qualifiers.

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