Ali Ahmed shone in his Norwich debut, while Promise David scored again and Simi Awujo notched a memorable first goal in FA Cup action. Here’s a look at Canadians in Europe over the weekend.

Ali Ahmed, Norwich City

It didn’t take long for Ali Ahmed to make his mark in the Championship.

Making his first appearance for Norwich City since a transfer from Vancouver Whitecaps, the Toronto-born midfielder showed what he was capable of to Canaries supporters almost immediately as the team visited promoted side Wrexham on Saturday. There is Canadian flavour to Wrexham, as well, with Vancouver’s Ryan Reynolds serving as one of the club’s co-owners.

In the match’s opening minutes, Norwich’s Pelle Matsson broke forward and found Ahmed to his left. Ahmed rushed into the area and then served up a perfect pass to Anis Ben Slimane to slot home past Arthur Okonkwo to make it 1-0 in the ninth minute. It was a dream start to Ahmed’s European career with a sensational assist.

The hosts would even things in the 24th. Some fine work by Issa Kaboré led to a pass for Max Cleworth just outside the area. He sent in an inviting cross to the far post that was met by the head of Sam Smith, who beat a diving Vladan Kovacevic to make it 1-1.

Ahmed’s afternoon ended at halftime, replaced by Oscar Schwartau. Ahmed finished his debut with a shot on goal, a tackle and a drawn foul to go along with his assist. The match was Ahmed’s first since his Whitecaps lost the MLS Cup Final to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, 3-1, on Dec. 6.

The Canaries found a winner in the 59th. Norwich broke out from the back after Matsson did well to snuff out a threatening Wrexham attack. Some nifty footwork from Kenny McLean started a give-and-go with Slimane that ended with a superb diagonal ball from McLean to Jovon Mokama, who snuck behind the Wrexham backline. His low drive snuck inside the far post to make it 2-1, a scoreline that would hold.

The three points were huge for the Canaries’ survival hopes, but there is much more work to be done for Philippe Clement’s side, who are also dealing with Josh Sargent, who is pushing for a move to Toronto FC, a move that the club has no intention of making at this time. The victory put Norwich on 27 points, only a single point away from the final safe spot. But the two teams on 28 points, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth, both have games in hand on the Canaries.

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Promise David, Union SG

Since joining Union SG from Estonian side Nomme Kalju in 2024, Promise David has bagged a pair of trophies. After a Belgian Super Cup win in 2024, the 24-year-old Brampton, Ont. native helped Union to its first Pro League title in 90 years last spring. Both David and Union are hungry for more, but David is after some personal hardware this season, as well.

Heading into Saturday’s game against Mechelen, David was level in the Golden Boot race with eight goals, tied with two other players: Zulte-Waregem’s Jeppe Erenbjerg and Keisuke Goto of Sint-Truidense. Needing to give his team a lift to maintain their lead at the top of the table, David did what he does best.

Just after the half-hour mark of a first half devoid of many real chances, Union surged forward from a Mechelen throw-in. Good work from Raul Florucz allowed Adem Zorgane to dart into the Mechelen half and find David just outside the box. David cut inside to put Redouane Halhal on skates before hammering home with his right foot to make it 1-0 in the 35th. The goal was his league-leading ninth of the season and was the match’s only marker.

The win allowed Union to maintain its three-point lead over STVV at the top of the table with a massive midweek clash in the Champions League ahead. Union travels to Germany to take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Bayern currently sits second in the Champions League table on 15 points. In 27th on six points, Union is currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff places. With two matches remaining, Union trails Qarabag, Napoli and Copenhagen by a single point for a spot in the playoff round.

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Simi Awujo, Manchester United

While Manchester United’s maiden voyage into the Champions League has been a successful one, thus far, United’s Women’s Super League campaign could use a kickstart. Third-place finishers last season, United currently sits fifth in the table on 22 points, 11 behind leaders Manchester City. Marc Skinner’s side has only won once in its past five league matches with a string of very winnable matches upcoming.

On Sunday, United got a tune-up for those matches in the fourth round of FA Cup action with a home date against third-tier Burnley. Finalists a season ago, United wouldn’t take any chances and fielded a first-choice side. Handed her first start of the season was Canada midfielder Simi Awujo.

Just two minutes into the match, the hosts were ahead. After some passing on the periphery of the Burnley area, Maya Le Tissier decided to take her chances from distance. The club captain hammered with her right foot from 30 yards out for a sensational opener.

United grabbed a second just after the 20-minute mark. Burnley thought they had dealt with a United attack, but a clearance only trickled out as far as Julia Zigiotti Olme just outside the box. The Sweden midfielder turned and fired into a crowded area and found the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 21st.

Then it was Awujo’s turn for a bit of the spectacular. From a United corner, Burnley cleared outside the area to the left touchline. Awujo collected the ball, made a nice move to cut inside Brooke Cairns and then unleashed a powerful right-footed volley from outside the area to beat Kirstie Levell to make it 3-0. It was the Atlanta-born Awujo’s first United marker.

The Red Devils would get two more second-half goals from Lea Schuller and Layla Drury to make it a 5-0 win. The fifth-round draw for the FA Cup is set for later on Monday. All eight matches are scheduled for Feb. 22.