Aiden O’Neill scored his first Standard Liege goal in magnificent style with a volleyed winner in their 1-0 triumph over Leuven in the Belgian Pro League on Saturday.
O’Neill chested down the ball before an unstoppable half volley in the 19th minute which proved to be the winner.
“To be honest, there is a bit of luck in this goal,” O’Neill told reporters after the game. “I was in a good position and I said to myself ‘why not take my chance?’.
“I had already dreamed of scoring a goal like that but, to succeed in doing it, especially in such an important match, is something else.
“It means a lot. I had already scored goals from outside the box but, yes, I can say that this one is probably the best of my career and it brings three super important points for the team.”
⏱️ 19’ | OOOOOOHHHH AIDEEEEEEEENNNNN 👊
🔴 1-0 🔵#STAOHL #COYR pic.twitter.com/vMD2PEND6Q
— Standard de Liège (@Standard_RSCL) February 10, 2024
Jordan Bos played a full game as Westerlo drew 2-2 at champions Union SG, while Jason Davidson put in a full shift as Eupen went down 4-0 at Club Brugge.
In the Scottish FA Cup fifth round, Martin Boyle netted one and assisted another as Hibernian progressed with a 3-1 victory away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Boyle rounded the goalkeeper to score Hibs’ second goal in the 79th minute, before his low cross teed up Elie Youan for 3-0 in the 89th minute. BBC Sport rated Boyle as best afield.
Boyle put in a full shift alongside Nector Triantis, while Lewis Miler started and played 83 minutes. Nikolau Udjur was a 70th minute sub for Inverness.
The winger earned a 7/10 rating from Edinburgh Evening News, while Miller – who had a nightmare Asian Cup quarter-final – got a 6/10 for a “solid rather than spectacular” display.
Triantis was rated 6/10, with Edinburgh Evening News writing: “The young Aussie wasn’t overly troubles by Inverness. This will be good for his confidence after a rocky start to his time at Hibs.”
Elsewhere, Tete Yengi scored a dramatic 120th-minute winner for Livingston as they triumphed in extra-time 3-2 away to Partick Thistle.
On Sunday, Calem Nieuwenhof netted his second Hearts goal in a 4-1 win at Airdrie United. Nieuwenhof scored Hearts’ third goal in the 21st minute, producing some skill to move on to his left foot and evade a defender, firing into the bottom corner.
Nieuwenhof, who put in a full shift, earned an 8/10 from Edinburgh Evening News who wrote: “First goal was a thing of beauty. Calm throughout.”
Kye Rowles was a 26th minute substitute, earning a 6/10 for an “assured display”. Nathaniel Atkinson came on in the 74th minute while Cammy Devlin went unused.
20' | AFC 0-3 HMFC
😍 Three for the Hearts, and another lovely goal! Calem Nieuwenhof goes on a mazy run, dummies an Airdrieonians player, before sending a fizzing strike beyond Rae!
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) February 11, 2024
Keanu Baccus put in a full shift while Ryan Strain remained out injured as St Mirren were beaten 2-0 by Celtic on Sunday.
After scoring last week, Cristian Volpato was absent for Sassuolo as they drew 1-1 at home with Torino in Italy’s Serie A.
Mat Ryan returned to the AZ starting line-up, playing a full game and keeping a clean sheet, as AZ Alkmaar were frustrated 0-0 at Almere City in the Dutch Eredivisie. AZ are winless in six league games and have slipped to fourth.
On Sunday, Garang Kuol was a 78th minute substitute as lowly FC Volendam went down 5-1 to PSV Eindhoven.
Anthony Kalik got on the scoresheet in Croatia as Hajduk Split won 4-0 over Slaven Koprivnica on Sunday. Kalik started and played 57 minutes, netting his side’s third goal.
Jackson Irvine was absent while Connor Metcalfe was a 62nd minute substitute as promotion hopefuls St Pauli lost 1-0 at Magdeburg in the German 2.Bundesliga.
Ryan Edwards was a 79th minute substitute as Amorebieta beat Elche 1-0 in the Spanish Segunda Division.
After concluding his Asian Cup duties, Sam Silvera got a fortunate goal for Middlesbrough in their 2-1 home loss to Bristol City in the English Championship.
Silvera came on in the 80th minute and scored in the 92nd minute when Finn Azaz’s effort deflected in off him. Teesside Live wrote about Silvera: “Late consolation goal was fortuitous but ultimately Boro lost momentum after he came on and the game looked like petering out before his goal from nothing.”
Riley McGree got 25 minutes off the bench, earning a 6/10 rating: “Tried to make an impact and thought he’d created one when Greenwood fired his pass into the roof of the net, only for the offside flag to ruin their moment.”
Tom Glover earned a 7/10 rating in an improved display: “Beaten twice on the day but nothing he could do with either. He also one save either side of the two goals which stopped the first half from being a mauling and gave Boro a chance of recovering something in the second half.”
Others
Full games
Gethin Jones (Bolton), Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough)
Minutes
Massimo Luongo – ST 83 (Ipswich Town), Callum Elder – SB 73 (Derby County), Jack Iredale – SB 76 (Bolton)
Unused subs
Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth), Ash Maynard-Brewer (Charlton)
Notable absentees
Awer Mabil (Grasshoppers), Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade)
