Moroccan attacking midfielder Yassine Gessime, 20, was the man of the match in Strasbourg’s 5-1 win over Auxerre on Sunday in Ligue 1, with a brace and an assist.
Yassine Gessime produced a standout performance on Sunday as RC Strasbourg beat AJ Auxerre 5-1 in Ligue 1. The 20-year-old Moroccan attacking midfielder set up striker Martial Godo in the 55th minute before scoring a brace in the 77th and 85th minutes, according to L’Équipe.
The Morocco international directly contributed to three of Strasbourg’s five goals and won the penalty that led to the third, Asharq Sports reports. He was also named man of the match and earned a perfect 10/10 rating on Sofascore, as well as 100/100 on Sorare, according to the same source.
A first career header
His second goal of the game, in the 85th minute, came from a header off an Oso cross. It was the first headed goal of his career, L’Équipe notes. In the first half, he had already had a headed chance in the 7th minute from a Martial Godo cross.
“Never in my life had I scored a header! I had one chance in the first half (from a Martial Godo cross, 7th minute), but as I told my teammates, when I head the ball I have to close my eyes! So for the second one (to complete the brace, 85th), I did like this (he mimics closing his eyes). I was surprised to score with my head, because I never use it. The cross (from Oso) is frankly magnificent and it made it easy for me.” the player told L’Équipe.
A 50-metre lob
In the first half, Gessime had also attempted a 50-metre lob that narrowly missed the target in the 43rd minute, according to L’Équipe. “I told myself I was going to score it, I believed it and I’d even started running (to celebrate). When I was younger, I tried it every game but I never managed to pull one off…” he told the sports daily.
The attacking midfielder also won 9 duels during the match, according to Asharq Sports. Those stats come on top of a 10/10 rating on Sofascore and 100/100 on Sorare.
What’s next with Strasbourg and Morocco
Strasbourg’s next Ligue 1 fixture comes after matchday 10. Gessime directly influenced three of his team’s five goals in this win over Auxerre.
A Morocco international, Gessime could feature in Morocco’s next squad ahead of the November international window, a possibility that remains to be confirmed.