Andy Delort's seven-minute hat-trick at the end of the match saw OGC Nice finish fifth and qualify for the Europa Conference League playoffs. This was the end of a stunning evening.

Don't give up and fight until the end. That was OGC Nice's motto in the final race this season. After going 2-0 down against the totally relaxed Rémois, Nice totally turned the match around in seven minutes at the end of the game thanks to an extraordinary hat-trick from Andy Delort! Nice, fifth with 66 points at the end of the 2021-2022 season, have qualified for the Europa Conference League playoffs.

THE GYM 2-0 DOWN AT HALF-TIME...

To recap the game, Reims thought they had taken the lead after four minutes when Ekitike headed home but the referee flagged for offside. Nice were put under pressure by the sharp and efficient side from the Stade Auguste-Delaune in the early stages of the game. In the ninth minute, Ekitike picked up the ball after Gouiri had lost it in defence and unleashed a powerful shot into the net (1-0, 9'). Benítez caught Toure's first-time shot a few moments later. Nice then tried to push forward. Rosario's shot was blocked, Gouiri’s effort from the edge of the box went over Rajkovic's goal and the French U-21 international's right-footed shot after Bard's cross in the box was saved by the keeper.

But the game was not looking good for the Rouge et Noir. After a back-heel from Touré, Doumbia hit a shot with the inside of his right foot from outside the box to double Reims' lead (2-0, 17'). Christophe Galtier's team reacted with a beautiful combination in attack. Bard crossed the ball to Kluivert, but the Dutchman shot wide with his right foot. The Dutchman shot with his left foot but Rajkovic pushed the ball away for a corner. In front of more than 100 Gym fans in the visitors' stand, Kluivert's overhit cross to Delort on the left summed up the Aiglons' first half. The Gym had difficulty finding solutions, in the middle or on the flanks, against a laid-back Reims side with a compact block. Christophe Galtier's team logically went into the break trailing by two goals.

... BEFORE DELORT'S STROKE OF GENIUS

At the start of the second half, coach Galtier opted for two changes and decided to bring on two full-backs with the aim of being more active going forward. Bard gave way to Amavi and Lotomba came on for Dante, with Daniliuc sliding into the center of defence alongside Todibo. Amavi made his mark shortly after coming on with a dangerous cross that the goalkeeper turned away. The Aiglons dominated the ball in this second half but were confronted with a compact Reims block. Nice played high and tried to get back into the game.

The referee blew his whistle for a penalty after Abdelhamid had fouled Delort after a good one-two between Gouiri and the man from Sète. The striker converted his penalty and allowed Nice to reduce the score and keep their hopes alive (2-1, 74'). Two minutes later, after Thuram had broken through the Reims defence, Gouiri found Delort, who fired in a left-footed shot. The ball ended up in the top corner and everything was back on track (2-2, 77')! The Gym then began to put the pressure on, just as they did against Saint-Étienne. Daniliuc's header from a Brahimi corner went just wide of the crossbar. But Delort showed his talent once more by heading in Brahimi's cross at the far post to give Nice the lead (2-3, 82'). The striker scored his 18th goal of the season in L1 (his 16th with the Gym) and gave his team the victory! And also giving them a European spot!

5th in Ligue 1 after another crazy night and @AndyDelort9’s hat trick, #OGCNice will play in the @europacnfleague playoffs next season 🇪🇺#IssaNissa pic.twitter.com/80rJiEec3p

— OGC Nice 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@ogcnice_eng) May 21, 2022