The Goal That Stole the Display

Wahi’s penalty was the defining moment of a match that saw Marseille dominate possession but fail to capitalize on numerous chances. The hosts, missing key attackers Igor Paixão, Nayef Aguerd, and Amine Gouiri, struggled to break down Nice’s resolute defense despite controlling 62% of the ball.

Marseille’s best opportunity came in the 58th minute when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg fired wide from close range after a scramble in the box. Nice, meanwhile, had just one shot on target in the first 89 minutes — Wahi’s penalty.

With the match seemingly headed for a goalless draw, Nice won a controversial penalty in stoppage time. After a VAR review, referee François Letexier awarded Nice a spot-kick for a handball by Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba. Wahi, who had joined Nice on loan in January 2026 after a brief stint with Marseille earlier in the season, stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle as goalkeeper Pau López dived to his left.

The Panenka, named after Czech legend Antonín Panenka, is a high-risk, high-reward technique that requires nerves of steel. Wahi’s execution was flawless, sending the traveling Nice supporters into raptures and leaving the Vélodrome in stunned silence.

The SpongeBob Troll Job

Wahi’s celebration was just the beginning. After the final whistle, the forward took to Instagram to post a split-screen image: on the left, a screenshot of his penalty with the caption “When you Panenka your ex-club”; on the right, a meme of SpongeBob SquarePants smirking with the text “Respect my authoritah.”

The post, which quickly amassed over 200,000 likes, was a playful jab at Marseille, where Wahi spent the first half of the 2025-26 season before being loaned to Nice. The Ivorian international had a tumultuous tenure at Marseille, scoring just three goals in 13 appearances before falling out of favor under manager Habib Beye.

Wahi’s relationship with Marseille fans had already been strained after he left the club in January. His Panenka and subsequent meme post only added fuel to the fire, with Marseille supporters taking to social media to criticize his “lack of respect.”

“It’s not about disrespect,” Wahi told reporters after the match. “It’s football. I love Marseille, but I’m a Nice player now. I had to score, and I did it my way.”

Standings Implications: Marseille’s Top-Four Hopes Take a Hit

The draw leaves Marseille in fifth place in Ligue 1, four points behind fourth-placed Lille with four matches remaining. Nice, meanwhile, move up to seventh, just three points behind Marseille but with a game in hand.

For Marseille, the result is a significant setback in their quest to secure Champions League football next season. The club has not finished in the top four since the 2021-22 campaign, and Sunday’s draw against Nice — a team they had beaten 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season — will be a tough pill to swallow.

“We dominated the game but didn’t take our chances,” Marseille manager Habib Beye said. “Nice defended well, and they punished us with their only real opportunity. Now we have to focus on the next match.”

Nice, can take confidence from their resilience. The draw extends their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, including a Coupe de France semifinal win over Strasbourg last week. With Wahi in form — he has scored five goals in his last six appearances for Nice — the Côte d’Azur side will fancy their chances of securing European football next season.

Wahi’s Journey: From Montpellier to Marseille to Nice

Wahi’s career has been anything but ordinary. Born in Courcouronnes, France, to Ivorian parents, he rose through the youth ranks at Caen before signing his first professional contract with Montpellier in 2019. He made his Ligue 1 debut in December 2020 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents, scoring 32 goals in 85 appearances for Montpellier.

His performances earned him a move to Lens in 2023, where he scored nine goals in 27 appearances before a high-profile transfer to Marseille in the summer of 2024. However, his time at Marseille was short-lived. After struggling for consistent game time, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025, only to be loaned back to Ligue 1 with Nice a year later.

Now, Wahi is back where he thrives: in the spotlight, scoring goals, and making headlines. His Panenka against Marseille was his fourth goal in 12 appearances for Nice this season, and his confidence appears to be growing with each match.

“Elye is a special player,” Nice manager Claude Puel said. “He has the mentality of a winner, and he’s not afraid to take risks. That’s what makes him so dangerous.”

What’s Next for Wahi and Nice?

Nice’s next match is a home game against Strasbourg on May 3, while Marseille travel to face Lille the following day. Both matches are crucial in the race for European qualification, with Lille currently occupying the final Champions League spot.

For Wahi, the focus will be on maintaining his form and helping Nice secure a top-five finish. The Ivorian international is also eyeing a place in his national team’s squad for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco next January.

“I want to maintain scoring goals and help my team,” Wahi said. “The Africa Cup of Nations is a big goal for me, and I want to be there representing Ivory Coast.”