Aubameyang scored four goals but was sent off in Gabon’s critical World Cup qualifier, leaving his team’s qualification chances fragile as they fight for a spot in a tight group.
In a dramatic turn of events that has dominated soccer conversations on Twitter and Facebook, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a performance of highs and lows for Gabon in their recent African World Cup qualifier—scoring a spectacular quadruple (four goals) only to be shown a red card late in the match, dealing a major blow to his country’s qualification hopes.
The Rollercoaster 90 Minutes: Hero to Villain in Seconds
Against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, Aubameyang started like a man on a mission. The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish, doubled Gabon’s lead just 10 minutes later, and completed his hat-trick before halftime—sending Gabon fans on social media into a frenzy with posts like “Auba’s back to his best!” and “Qualification’s in sight!”
His fourth goal came in the 63rd minute, a stunning volley that seemed to seal the win and boost Gabon’s standing in Group F. But chaos struck in the 78th minute: with Equatorial Guinea pushing for a comeback, Aubameyang committed a reckless tactical foul to stop a counterattack, earning a straight red card from referee Bakary Gassama. Twitter timelines quickly shifted from celebration to frustration, with one fan tweeting, “One mistake erases four goals—this is why soccer hurts.”
Gabon’s Qualification Math: A Tenuous Path Now
Before the match, Gabon sat third in Group F with 7 points, trailing leaders Cameroon (10 points) and second-place Egypt (9 points). The win would have lifted them to 10 points, tying Cameroon—but Aubameyang’s red card and the team’s subsequent defensive lapse (Equatorial Guinea scored a late consolation goal) left the final score at 4-1, with Gabon still on 7 points.
The problem? Aubameyang will now miss Gabon’s next qualifier against Cameroon—a must-win match if they hope to sneak into the top two (only group winners and best runners-up qualify for the 2026 World Cup). “Losing Auba against Cameroon is like losing your best weapon,” former Gabon captain Didier Ovono told a local sports outlet. “Our attack lacks his clinical edge, and now we’re up against the group leaders shorthanded.”
With just two matches left, Gabon needs to beat Cameroon and hope Egypt drops points against weaker opposition. FIFA’s latest rankings show Gabon at 88th in the world, while Cameroon sits at 58th—making the upcoming clash a tall order without their star striker.
Aubameyang’s Post-Match Reaction: Regret and Resolve
On his Instagram Stories (a platform widely followed by soccer fans in the U.S. and Europe), Aubameyang addressed the red card, writing, “I’m gutted—I let my team down. The quadruple means nothing if we can’t qualify. I’ll be cheering them on against Cameroon and working hard to be ready for our final match.”
Gabon’s coach, Patrice Neveu, echoed the sentiment in a post-match press conference, saying, “Auba’s goals were brilliant, but the red card was a mistake we can’t afford. We’ll adjust our tactics—maybe play a more defensive setup against Cameroon—and rely on the team’s depth. This isn’t over yet, but it’s definitely harder.”
As conversations on Twitter and Facebook continue—with fans debating whether the red card was justified and predicting Gabon’s fate—one thing is clear: Aubameyang’s rollercoaster performance has become a defining moment of Gabon’s 2026 World Cup campaign. For now, all eyes are on their next match against Cameroon, where a win could reignite their hopes… but without their star striker, the odds are stacked against them.