After falling behind and then mounting a comeback, OGC Nice earned a point (2-2) against Stade Brestois on Sunday 1 February at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 20 of the league. Le Gym move back up to 13th place in Ligue 1.

Facing an opponent they could have overtaken with a win, OGC Nice drew 2-2 with Stade Brestois on Sunday on Ligue 1 Matchday 20. Del Castillo (15', penalty) and Doumbia (23') opened the scoring. Abdi, with a header (63'), and Wahi, in behind (71'), were the Nice scorers.

To kick off his week of three home games, Claude Puel put his faith in the same starting eleven that lined up against Nantes seven days ago. The only exception was Dante, who returned to Ligue 1 for the first time since 18 October 2025, replacing the suspended Juma Bah. In a 4-2-3-1 formation with Clauss, Oppong and Abdi in defence, a midfield consisting of Vanhoutte, Abdul Samed and Sanson in the playmaker role, alongside a Cho-Wahi-Diop attack, Nice quickly made their presence felt. As in their victory at La Beaujoire, Les Aiglons, 14th at kick-off after Paris FC's draw the day before, held onto the ball. They looked for openings but couldn't find them.

In fact, they were caught off guard by a Brest team that took advantage of every counterattack. In a quick move, Ludovic Ajorque was found in the Nice box. His pull-back was blocked by Dante's hand. Stéphanie Frappart did not hesitate and awarded a penalty. It seemed a harsh decision as the Brazilian had pulled his arm back. Romain Del Castillo did not hesitate to open the scoring from the spot (15', 0-1).

Le Gym were shaken and were about to be dealt another blow. First, the referee stopped play for a handball by Elye Wahi, who appeared to have touched the ball with his chest as he raced towards goal (21'). Then by Kamory Doumbia's goal, taking advantage of a run by Rémy Labeau-Lascary (23', 0-2).

So on this 1 February, OGC Nice needed to achieve a first this season to get at least one point and regain 13th place, by coming back from two goals down. They showed their character and desire at the end of the first half. Sofiane Diop (26') then Morgan Sanson and Charles Vanhoutte in the same move (40') found the gloves of Grégoire Coudert, who was alert to repel the Côte d'Azur attacks. Le Gym were in a determined mood but found themselves behind at the break.

To keep the faith alive, Claude Puel decided to inject some pace into the side by bringing on Kaïl Boudache, making his Ligue 1 debut, in place of Salis Abdul Samed after the break. The young winger had an exciting second half, building on his European displays. He was incisive, sometimes forgetting to play it simple, but he didn't hide. He slotted into a red and black unit that has been full of commitment since the start of the year.

To follow up on one first, you need another. Ali Abdi, who played brilliantly throughout the match, scored his first goal of the season. He reduced the deficit with a flicked header from a Jonathan Clauss free kick (63', 1-2).

Eight minutes later, Elye Wahi scored his third goal for Nice, finishing off a passing triangle with Nice's right-back and Kevin Carlos, who had just come on as a substitute (71', 2–2).

The Allianz Riviera had reason to celebrate. The stadium was rewarded with tremendous support from its 18,757 spectators.

As shown a week earlier, when it held its own in Nantes before scoring the fourth goal, this 2026 OGC Nice team has heart and soul. They continued to push to reverse the score, without success. However, the team managed to earn a valuable point in the race to stay up.

The Aiglons are back in 13th place in the league with 22 points, one less than their opponents today, who are in 12th, but one more than Nantes, who are in 16th and the first relegation play-off spot, after losing 2-1 to Lorient on Saturday.

The journey continues with two more home games. On Wednesday, Sofiane Diop and his teammates welcome Montpellier in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (8:30pm), before taking on AS Monaco in the league on Sunday 8 February at 3pm in what promises to be an exciting derby.