Serie A: Young forward Paul Mendy scores twice in Cagliari victory

Young Senegalese forward Paul Mendy scored two goals on his first professional start Monday to give Cagliari a crucial 3-2 Serie A victory over Atalanta.

It took only fifteen seconds for the 19-year-old to strike for the hosts at the Unipol Domus in Sardinia. Mendy got on the end of a perfect cross from Michel Adopo to head low past Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi and send Gli Isolani supporters into delirium.

Needing a positive result to quell relegation fears, the Rufisque native rose to the occasion again seven minutes later. When a corner kick was allowed to drop in the Atalanta box, Mendy pounced during the chaos and his shot took a big deflection past Carnesecchi to double the advantage.

The visitors did respond at the end of the first half through Gianluca Scamacca, who produced a first half brace of his own to leave the teams level at halftime.

Mendy was substituted at halftime, denied the opportunity to push for a hat-trick. However, it proved to be a good decision by Cagliari coach Tommaso Giulini. Mendy’s replacement, Gennaro Borrelli, scored the winner in the 47th minute to give the home side three crucial points.

 

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A new African starlet in Serie A

The young forward made his first impressions in the second tier of Senegalese football with AS Bambey before moving to Italy in February 2025. He scored 15 goals in all competitions with Cagliari’s youth team before making his professional debut on March 20 in a 0-1 defeat to Napoli.

Monday was his first start and after his contribution, the club are now eight points clear of the relegation zone with only four matches remaining. Next, he will look to be involved when the Sardinian club travel to face Bologna next Sunday.