Kaoru Mitoma equalized in the 89th minute to set the stage for Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-2 comeback victory over West Ham in the English Premier League on Saturday.

After coming off the bench in the 62nd minute, the Japan football international headed from close range for his second goal in as many games and his ninth in the league this season.

Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma scores with a header in the second half of an English Premier League football match against West Ham on April 26, 2025, in Brighton, England. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Carlos Baleba struck in the second minute of time added to clinch the result at the Amex Stadium, moving Brighton up to ninth and continuing their push for European qualification.

In the German Bundesliga, Japan forward Shuto Machino scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance for Holstein Kiel, who gained three vital points in their relegation battle via a 4-3 win against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Machino netted the opener and later struck the injury-time winner at Holstein-Stadion, taking his tally to 10 league goals. Japan teammate Ko Itakura played the full 90 minutes for Gladbach.

Holstein Kiel’s Shuto Machino reacts after scoring in the second half of a German Bundesliga football match against Borussia Monchengladbach on April 26, 2025, in Kiel, Germany. (Kyodo) 

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