Friday may have marked the final day of the international break with regards to Premier League football, but the action had already resumed on the continent.
One game which may have caught the eyes of English fans was the clash between Braga and Benfica which pitted fourth against third in the Primeira Liga. The reasons for interest in this fixture were twofold: firstly, Liverpool supporters may have been keen to have a closer look at Benfica ahead of their Champions League semi-final; secondly, one of Europe's most in-demand strikers was in action.
The player in question was Darwin Nunez, who was only handed a spot on the bench having travelled to South America for Uruguay's World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Chile over the last fortnight. However, with his team trailing 1-0 at the interval, the 22-year-old was introduced for the second half - and he did not take long to show just what all the hype is about.
Although Benfica conceded another goal shortly after the break, Nunez halved the deficit from the penalty spot before setting up fellow substitute Joao Mario to equalise just three minutes later. Premier League fans at a loose end on Friday night more than had their fill of action as, remarkably, Braga reclaimed the lead just two minutes after Benfica's equaliser to claim all three points from a pulsating fixture.
The result may have not gone his way but Nunez only enhanced his reputation with a goal-and-assist showing off the bench which took his tally to 30 goal involvements (27 goals and three assists) in 34 appearances this season. It is no surprise the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham are circling for the youngster - nor that Benfica have placed a hefty price tag of €80million (£67m) on his head, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo , per Sport Witness.
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Watching Nunez harass, drag out of position and ultimately overcome the Braga defence served as a stark reminder of the presence the Gunners have sorely lacked up front this season. Since the January departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona, Alexandre Lacazette has shouldered the burden of the No. 9 duties almost single-handedly. To his credit, the Frenchman has done a fine job of being a foil for the talented youngsters behind him - namely Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe - to flourish but there is no denying his return of six goals in all competitions this season is underwhelming.
Adding to Mikel Arteta's centre-forward headache, Lacazette appears destined to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. This means it is vitally important Emirates chiefs open their pockets to fund the signing of a replacement; one with a knack for finding the back of the net while also being able to link-up well with those around him. Not for the first time this season, Nunez showed off those qualities in the defeat by Braga, and any fortunate enough to have seen his performance will have been left in no doubt over his ability.
