SUPER Eagles of Nigeria strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi were both on target as the 2025/2026 UEFA Europa League proper kicked off tonight, although their clubs Celtic and Nice were not able to secure victories.
Iheanacho, who joined Scottish champions Celtic as a free agent in the summer after leaving Sevilla, opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw at Crvena Zvezda.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international came on at the start of the second half and struck 10 minutes later, taking his Celtic tally to two goals and one assist in three appearances in all competitions.
Crvena Zvezda equalised in the 65th minute through veteran Marko Arnautovic, who was assisted by Tebo Uchenna, while Peter Olayinka was a 90th minute substitute.
In France, centre-backs Evan N’Dicka and Gianluca Mancini were both on target for Roma as they held on for a 2-1 victory over Nice, for whom Moffi scored a consolation from the penalty spot 13 minutes from time.
In Spain, Antony’s 85th-minute equaliser earned Betis a point in Nottingham Forest’s first European match since March 1996.
Cédric Bakambu finished clinically for the Spanish side after 15 minutes, but Igor Jesus slotted in three minutes later and headed Forest in front in the 23rd minute before Callum Hudson-Odoi shot against a post for the English Premier League club.
Real Betis made three changes at the break but struggled to produce telling chances until their former Manchester United winger struck.
In Denmark, Sturm Graz goalkeeper Oliver Christensen was credited with the first goal of the campaign after fumbling a Djú Franculino corner into his own net seven minutes into his side’s opener at Midtjylland.
The Danish side ran out 2-0 winners.
Mounsef Bakrar’s added-time effort and a double from Dion Beljo ensured GNK Dinamo started the league phase with a 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe, who had equalised through Sebastian Szymański.
RESULTS
Midtjylland 2-0 Sturm Graz
PAOK 0-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Crvena Zvezda 1-1 Celtic
GNK Dinamo 3-1 Fenerbahçe
Malmö 1-2 Ludogorets
Nice 1-2 Roma
Real Betis 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Braga 1-0 Feyenoord
Freiburg 2-1 Basel