playoff ligue 1 ligues 2 : nice keeps top-flight status after thrilling return victory against saint-étienne
The OGC Nice side turned the tide in a high-energy rematch to preserve their Ligue 1 status on Friday night.
After a tense and much more dynamic second leg, Nice secured their Ligue 1 survival with a commanding 3-1 home victory over Saint-Étienne at the Allianz Riviera on May 29. The match marked a sharp contrast to the sterile 0-0 stalemate of the first leg, as the Niçois dominated proceedings in a game filled with drama and late goals.
The turning point came just after the hour mark when Zuriko Davitashvili equalized from the penalty spot, levelling the tie on aggregate. But Nice were not done yet — a minute later, teenage sensation Kail Boudache (19) put the hosts ahead for the first time, sending the stadium into raptures. The floodgates then opened in stoppage time, with Elye Wahi sealing the win with a brace (87’, 90+2’), completing a night to remember for the Gym faithful.
Finishing 16th in the regular season, Nice will compete in Ligue 1 for a 25th consecutive campaign, alongside Metz and Nantes, who also avoided relegation. For Saint-Étienne, relegated in 2024-25, the disappointment lingers as they prepare for another season in the second tier.
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