Yassine Gessime took center stage for Strasbourg on Saturday. The 20-year-old Moroccan forward scored twice after the break against RC Lens, firing his side to a 2-1 victory and securing their first three points of the new Ligue 1 season.

Strasbourg claimed their first win of the Ligue 1 campaign with Yassine Gessime as the standout performer. The Moroccan forward found the back of the net twice in the second half to completely overturn a deficit against Lens.

Lens had looked set to take a lead into halftime after Florian Thauvin put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, leaving Strasbourg searching for a response after the interval.

That response arrived almost immediately.

In the 48th minute, Gessime leveled the score, bringing the hosts back into the contest and reigniting Strasbourg's belief that a positive result was within reach.

The match appeared to be heading toward a draw until Gessime struck again in the closing stages, finding the back of the net with just five minutes of regular time remaining to make it 2-1.

His second goal of the evening proved to be the winner as Strasbourg held firm to claim their first victory of the campaign.

First Win Under Hugo Oliveira

The victory carries extra significance for Strasbourg as it marks the first win under head coach Hugo Oliveira.

The French club had started their season with a heavy 4-0 defeat against Olympique Marseille, whereas Lens enjoyed an excellent start by defeating Auxerre 5-2 in their opening match.

The fact that Strasbourg managed to overturn a deficit against Lens makes the three points all the more crucial, lifting the club to three points after two matches.

## Gessime Continues His Development

For Gessime, the match represents another important milestone in his development. Born in Salon-de-Provence, the forward progressed through several youth academies in the Bouches-du-Rhône region before making his professional breakthrough with USL Dunkerque.

He joined Dunkerque in 2024 and quickly made an impression in Ligue 2, earning multiple individual monthly awards for his performances.

His continuous growth did not go unnoticed, ultimately leading to a transfer to Strasbourg.

Next Step at Strasbourg

Gessime made the move to Strasbourg in January 2026, granting him the opportunity to further develop at the highest level of French football.

Primarily operating from the right flank, the forward frequently cuts inside to create danger with his favored left foot.

Against Lens, he once again proved capable of making the difference in decisive moments. His two goals not only delivered victory for Strasbourg but also provided him with a vital boost at the start of the new campaign.

From Moroccan Youth Teams to the Senior Setup

Gessime's progress is also being closely monitored from Morocco. The forward previously represented the Atlas Lions at the U20 level and was part of the squad that won the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2025.

Since then, he has increasingly knocked on the door of the senior national team.

His performances for Strasbourg could play a significant role in that transition. By bagging a brace, Gessime has shown that he is fully prepared to shoulder greater responsibility at the highest level.

Strasbourg needed to fall behind on Saturday to truly wake up, but Gessime stepped up with two goals to spark a dramatic turnaround and secure his side's first victory of the season.