In the second leg of the relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne, OGC Nice avoided relegation from Ligue 1. Frankfurt loanee Wahi played a major role in veteran Dante’s fitting career finale.
Nice and St. Etienne had played to a scoreless draw in the first leg, so the outcome remained completely up in the air three days later. However, the atmosphere did not reflect the match’s great significance: After some Nice fans had completely lost control nearly two weeks ago following the home game against Metz (0-0)—storming the field and even chasing their own players—the relegation playoff return leg took place in front of empty stands.
ASSE lead disallowed
The visitors got off to the better start on Friday evening; as the third-place team in Ligue 2, they had qualified for the showdown against the 16th-place team in Ligue 1 via the promotion playoffs semifinals. Early on, former Augsburg player Cardona gave ASSE what appeared to be the lead (9th minute), but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The nominal underdogs continued to press afterward but were unable to find the back of the net despite good opportunities. Nice’s defense, led by 42-year-old Dante—who is set to retire and become the U-23 coach at his former club, FC Bayern, after the season—held firm under pressure and kept the score level at halftime. At the other end, Dante and Mendy came close to giving OGC the lead in the 39th minute.
Clauss puts Nice ahead – penalty equalizer
It remained extremely tense in Nice, where Frankfurt loanee Wahi also failed to capitalize on a good chance for the home team (59′). Three minutes later, a teammate of the striker—who had also once played in Germany—did better: Former Bielefeld player Clauss opened the scoring for Nice with a powerful left-footed shot.
Meanwhile, the second-division side from St. Etienne refused to give up—and suddenly leveled the score again: Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a handball penalty, which Davitashvili confidently converted (79th minute).
Wahi turns it on in the closing stages
However, the 1-1 score wouldn’t last long, as just moments after conceding, the home side restored their lead: ASSE defender Bernauer inadvertently deflected the ball to Boudache, allowing him to slot it home with his left foot. An enormously important goal for the 19-year-old and Nice (81′).
The visitors were not granted another equalizer; instead, Wahi single-handedly sealed the deal in the closing minutes. In what is likely to be his final appearance for OGC, the SGE loanee first extended the lead to 3-1 with his left foot (87′), before sealing the deal with a chip to complete his brace and seal the victory (90’+2).
With this last-minute chance, Nice thus avoided relegation to the second division for the first time since their promotion in the 2001/02 season. St. Etienne, which had been relegated from Ligue 1 the previous year, once again missed out on an immediate return to the top flight.
