Yvan Dibango created Champions League history by providing three assists in 14 minutes, even as LASK Linz suffered a 6-3 home defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Cameroon left-back set up all three of his side’s goals in the second matchday of the competition, matching a record also held by his illustrious compatriot Samuel Eto’o.
Dibango’s name may recall that of legendary Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, but it was on the European football stage that the defender made his mark. The player, who was born in Yaounde, recorded his first goal contributions in the Champions League with an outstanding attacking display.
Liverpool appeared firmly in control after moving 4-0 ahead, but Dibango began the LASK Linz response by supplying Robert Ljubicic in the 63rd minute.
Eleven minutes later, the left-footed defender delivered a cross for Florian Flecker to head home. Dibango then combined with Flecker again in the 77th minute to complete his hat-trick of assists.
His three assists came in the space of just 14 minutes, a rare achievement in European football’s leading club competition.
According to Opta, Dibango is only the third African player to provide three assists in a single Champions League match. He follows Samuel Eto’o, who reached the mark for FC Barcelona against Levski Sofia in 2006, and Achraf Hakimi, who did so for Borussia Dortmund against Atletico de Madrid in 2018.
The performance could also prove significant for Dibango’s season at club level.
Before the match, he had yet to establish himself as a regular starter for LASK Linz. The defender had played in only four of his team’s opening eight matches in the Austrian league, starting just one of them.
His display against opponents of Liverpool’s calibre may now alter his position within the squad. Although LASK Linz conceded six goals, Dibango demonstrated how much influence he can have going forward from left-back.
The remaining question is whether his historic contribution will earn him the lasting trust of his manager and a regular place in the Austrian club’s starting line-up.
