After a completely crazy finish to the match, OGC Nice booked their ticket for the Coupe de France quarter-finals by overturning a two-goal deficit against Montpellier (3–2). Sofiane Diop sent Les Aiglons into pandemonium in stoppage time.

Once again, these Aiglons show enormous heart! Three days after earning a draw against Brest in Ligue 1 (Matchday 20, 2–2) despite trailing by two goals at half-time, Claude Puel’s men completed a perfect comeback on Wednesday night at the Allianz Riviera.

Facing Montpellier in the Round of 16 of France’s oldest competition, Charles Vanhoutte and his teammates never gave up despite finding themselves in a complicated situation, with a two-goal deficit with just 20 minutes remaining. In the same way as they were against Brest, they were ultimately rewarded for their fighting spirit by clinching their place in the next round thanks to a magical goal from Sofiane Diop.

Following a short corner taken with Jonathan Clauss, the attacking midfielder curled a perfect shot into the far corner past a helpless Mathieu Michel (3–2, 90+7). This stunning goal from the Moroccan international (his ninth in all competitions this season) sent the Allianz Riviera into raptures, electrified by the team’s comeback. Through talent and courage, Nice came back from the brink in sublime fashion, showing their growing hatred of defeat under Claude Puel.

LES AIGLONS CAME BACK FROM FAR

However, the evening had started badly for Nice. Caught cold by an unfortunate own goal from Kojo Peprah Oppong following good work from Nicolas Pays (0–1, 3’), the Rouge et Noir and struggled to get into the game. Lacking cohesion, with many young players on the pitch, including Gabin Bernardeau, making his first competitive start, they initially struggled against the 9th-placed Ligue 2 side, still pushing for promotion.

It took around half an hour for Nice to respond. First through Bernardeau, whose long-range free kick deflected off the Montpellier wall and nearly beat Michel (25’). Then through Isak Jansson, whose low shot was saved (43’).

Energised by the half-time introductions of Jonathan Clauss, Morgan Sanson, and Elye Wahi, Nice shifted gears after the break, replacing possession with waves of attacks. Still lacking precision in the Montpellier box — as seen from Jansson’s missed header (54’) and Vanhoutte’s off-target effort (63’) — they feared nothing would go their way, especially when Alexandre Mendy, a former Nice player, doubled Montpellier’s lead from close range (0–2, 69’)

BOUDACHE AND MENDY LEAD THE CHARGE

Game over? Not for these Aiglons, who never quit. Revived by Kaïl Boudache’s first professional goal after coming on in the 65th minute, Nice had pulled one back. Positioned at the far post to finish Wahi’s cross, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder reignited hope among the Nice faithful (1–2, 72’).

The match then descended into madness, including a spectacular save by Yehvann Diouf from Nathanaël Mbuku’s header (84’) and a double goal-line clearance by Montpellier’s Lucas Mincarelli (86’).

It seemed written that this Coupe de France Round of 16 would not end there,  and Antoine Mendy ensured that would be the case. Well placed at the near post from a Clauss corner poorly cleared by Everson Jr., the African champion powered in the equaliser with his right foot, scoring his first professional goal (2–2, 89’).

Nice could have settled for a penalty shootout, which had shone favourably on them in the previous round against Nantes. But that is not the mentality of the Rouge et Noir, who were determined to control their destiny and were rewarded by Sofiane Diop’s brilliant winner.

SEE YOU IN THE QUARTER-FINALS

Qualified for the quarter-finals for the third time in the last five years, Nice will continue their adventure and return to action during the week of 4 March. Before that, they will find out their next opponent on Thursday 5 February, during the draw scheduled at around 8pm.