OGC Nice secured a precious point against RC Lens at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday evening. Ali Abdi equalised in the dying moments (1-1).

There was Elye Wahi’s Panenka in the 88th minute against Marseille, and there was Ali Abdi’s poacher’s goal in the 84th minute this Saturday against Lens. Just like last week in Marseille (Matchday 31, 1-1), the Aiglons showed their mental strength and character to snatch a vital point right at the death against the Sang et Or on Matchday 32 of Ligue 1. This was no fluke, as Claude Puel’s men have displayed an outstanding attitude for several weeks. Now unbeaten in five matches across all competitions, they once again managed to stay focused after the northerners opened the scoring, before being clinical in the dying minutes.

The hero of the night? Ali Abdi. Coming on with just under twenty minutes to go, the Tunisian defender scored his third goal of the season – his third of 2026 – by capitalising on a Sofiane Diop free-kick that was blocked by the Lens wall, slotting past Robin Risser from close range to bring his team level (1-1, 84'). It was a passionate goal that sent the packed Allianz Riviera into wild celebration on this spring Saturday, as the equaliser seemed thoroughly deserved for a Nice side who, despite being dominated, had shown great determination and discipline.

A SOLID AND INCISIVE GYM

Despite being without key players such as Elye Wahi and Jonathan Clauss at kick-off, the Rouge et Noir looked just as competitive as in their previous matches. Well-organised defensively and dangerous on the counter-attack, it was the home side who created the best chances of the first half, led by the trio of Kaïl Boudache, Mohamed-Ali Cho and Sofiane Diop, who were ready to exploit the slightest gap in behind the northerners’ defence. The former could indeed have set up the latter for a goal had Samson Baidoo not intervened at the last moment to prevent him from making the most of his one-on-one with Risser (11'). The home side were also dangerous from set pieces, as demonstrated by Juma Bah’s powerful header tipped away by the Lens goalkeeper (17'). Coach Puel’s men kept the opposition under constant threat without dominating possession, which was in their opponents’ favour (56%).

Struggling to break down the Côte d'Azur side’s defence, once again solidly led by Antoine Mendy, Juma Bah and Kojo Peprah Oppong, RC Lens turned to long-range efforts – Allan Saint-Maximin (15'), Mamadou Sangaré (22') – in an attempt to hurt their opponents. In the end, it was with a stroke of luck and clinical finishing that the current second-placed team in Ligue 1, behind Paris Saint-Germain, managed to open the scoring after the break thanks to Saint-Maximin. Played in by Adrien Thomasson following a corner for Le Gym, the former Nice player broke through, rounding Yéhvann Diouf before slotting into an empty net (0-1, 61'). It was a real blow for Morgan Sanson and his teammates, who had just seen Malang Sarr clear a shot from Mohamed-Ali Cho off the line (60').

FOX IN THE BOX ABDI

But just like against Le Havre, Lille, Strasbourg and Marseille, the Rouge et Noir didn’t give up despite the odds being stacked against them. Showing great determination, they found themselves in a scoring position following a high press, forcing Saud Abdulhamid to bring down Sofiane Diop on the edge of the box, which led to the defender being sent off (81’). Despite coming close to winning a penalty, Les Aiglons still capitalised on the free-kick thanks to Ali Abdi, their fox in the box on the night (1-1, 84').

Although Nice pushed hard to take the lead, they will be happy with this deserved and very valuable draw. Still 15th in the table, OGC Nice are currently six points clear of their next opponents, Auxerre, who face Angers this Sunday.