Yacine Brahimi (Porto, Algeria)

Porto were one of several clubs who had to contest a play-off round for Champions League qualification. Lille were paired with the club from Oporto in August. After a tenacious nil-nil in France, Yacine Brahimi ensured that he and his club would be playing Champions League football with an astounding performance at the Estadio do Dragao. The pint-sized magician could not be stopped, nutmegging defenders, assisting his striker partner Jackson Martinez, before scoring himself. His goal was a 30-yard free-kick that was lifted over the wall and out of reach of the outstretched Vincent Enyeama. The Algerian maestro has been able to reproduce such performances in the group stage, scoring a hat-trick at home against BATE Borisov, and torturing Shakhtar Donetsk defenders in a 2-2 draw. Look for him to continue his outstanding form.