Lassine Sinayoko scored all three goals as Paris FC secured a dramatic 3-2 victory away to Olympique de Marseille, immediately vindicating the club’s decision to spend about eight million euros on the AJ Auxerre forward this summer.
The 26-year-old Mali international struck after just 23 seconds at the Velodrome before completing his hat-trick with a composed penalty in the 86th minute. His decisive spot-kick sealed a memorable night for a Paris FC side aiming to match its growing ambitions with immediate results.
Sinayoko was signed to provide an experienced and versatile attacking option rather than as the most eye-catching arrival of the Parisian club’s transfer window. He already knew Ligue 1 well and had finished last season with six goals and three assists for AJ Auxerre.
Able to operate through the middle or from either flank, Sinayoko offered power, energy and a willingness to work for the team. Those attributes made him a practical fit for a side hoping to take another step forward without waiting for a long-term project to develop.
His display in Marseille, however, has given the transfer a far greater profile.
Before leaving AJ Auxerre, Sinayoko was already viewed by some as one of the most underrated African players in Ligue 1. He is now the first player to score three times against Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 since Bafetimbi Gomis did so for Lyon in November 2012.
His opening goal also set a new record. It was the earliest goal Olympique de Marseille have conceded since Opta began collecting the relevant data in the 2006-07 season. Across Ligue 1 more broadly, no player had scored earlier in a league match since Wissam Ben Yedder found the net after 21 seconds in April 2024.
The performance was also significant for Mali, known as the Eagles, as Sinayoko looks to strengthen his standing with the national team. He has represented Mali since 2021 and has gradually established himself, although he has not always received the same level of attention as some of his more prominent international team-mates.
Sinayoko was already regarded as one of Mali’s leading attacking players. His performance at the Velodrome underlined his potential to become one of the main figures in the country’s forward line as preparations build towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The next international window could provide another opportunity for him to increase his influence. Sinayoko was among the senior attacking players expected to feature in Mali’s recent squads, with the national side still working to settle its attacking pecking order.
One outstanding match cannot provide a final verdict on a transfer. Paris FC, though, did not sign an untested prospect. They recruited a forward who has reached maturity, has already demonstrated his ability in France’s top flight and still has room to improve.
With the cost of proven strikers continuing to rise, securing a Mali international for about eight million euros looks increasingly shrewd. For now, Sinayoko has made Paris FC’s investment look particularly valuable by almost single-handedly bringing down Olympique de Marseille.
By Naim Beneddra
Naim Beneddra has followed football since childhood and has worked as a football writer and analyst for more than 20 years. A committed supporter of the Fennecs, he pays particular attention to Algerian football while continuing to focus on the people and stories that shape the sport.