OGC Nice secured a 4-1 victory over AS Saint-Étienne in the second leg of the Ligue 1 relegation play-off. Le Gym made the difference thanks to goals from Clauss, Boudache and a brace from Elye Wahi. For the 25th consecutive season, Le Gym will compete in Ligue 1 in 2026/27.

In what was a very tight match for the most part, OGC Nice showed character to secure their place in Ligue 1. Despite Saint-Étienne equalising in the second half, Le Gym never gave up and managed to make the difference in crunch time. Driven by their sacrifice and determination, the Niçois eventually ran out comfortable winners to stay in the top flight (4-1).

For this decisive second-leg play-off against Saint-Étienne, played behind closed doors, Claude Puel made four changes from the first leg at the Geoffroy-Guichard. Wahi returned to lead the line, Louchet started on the left wing, Coulibaly occupied the midfield and Dante regained his place in central defence. Diouf, Mendy, Oppong, Bard, Clauss, Sanson and Cho completed the starting eleven selected by the Nice manager, in a 3-4-3 formation.

NICE HIT THE POST IN A TIGHT GAME

From the very first minutes, Saint-Étienne looked dangerous, with Cardona heading just wide of Diouf’s post from a free-kick (7’). Shortly afterwards, ASSE thought they had opened the scoring, but Cardona’s goal was ultimately ruled out following a VAR review, as Stassin was offside during the move (9’). Les Verts were in the ascendancy and settled in Nice’s half before creating another chance through Stassin, whose shot flew just over Diouf’s goal (19’).

Despite these early warnings, Le Gym eventually found their rhythm and pulled themselves back into the contest, until they eventually looked more dangerous themselves. In a swift move, Wahi hit the post from close range (21’), sparking a genuine Nice reaction. Les Aiglons kept up the pressure immediately: Louchet played Clauss in with a pull-back into the box, but the full-back’s shot was blocked at the last moment by the Saint-Étienne defence (22’).

In a fast-paced match that was far more open than the first leg, Diouf had to make a save to tip away a shot from Boakye (26’). Stassin, once again, then met a cross from Appiah at the near post, without managing to trouble the Nice goalkeeper (35’).

Towards the end of the first half, Nice pushed forward again. Dante met a Clauss corner with a powerful header, but Larsonneur was there to save (39’). Seconds later, Mendy tried his luck with his left foot but failed to beat the Saint-Étienne keeper (39’). In stoppage time, Wahi charged towards goal and got into a shooting position, but his attempt was blocked (45+2’). At half-time, the two teams headed into the changing rooms with the score goalless (0-0), in a match where the Rouge et Noir had gradually grown into the game.

CLAUSS LIBERATES LE GYM

At half-time, Claude Puel made two changes for Nice: Bard was replaced by Diop, and Cho was brought off for Boudache.

After the break, Nice immediately pushed forward with the aim of taking the lead. Wahi tried his luck with a first-time shot inside the box, but his effort was saved by Larsonneur (50’). Nice looked dangerous again shortly afterwards, but the match remained open. ASSE came very close to opening the scoring, with Stassin seeing his shot hit the post. Moments later, Wahi unleashed a long-range effort, which was comfortably saved by the Stéphanois goalkeeper (54’).

Le Gym kept pressing and were getting closer to goal. Just before the hour mark, following a fine team move, Boudache played the ball to Wahi in the box, but the striker was blocked by Appiah as he went to shoot and just missed the target (59’). Nice’s pressure finally paid off. From a long throw-in by Mendy, the Saint-Étienne defence headed the ball clear, but Clauss was lurking in the box and unleashed a left-footed shot that was unstoppable for Larsonneur (1-0, 62’).

ASSE EQUALISE FROM THE SPOT

Nice, spurred on by taking the lead, pressed forward again but failed to double their advantage: Larsonneur first saved a shot from Boudache, before parrying another attempt from Wahi, who was very lively in the closing stages of the match and had only just begun to make his mark (66’). But the game took a dramatic turn. After consulting VAR and reviewing the footage, the referee awarded a penalty to ASSE for a handball by Mendy in the box from a corner. Davitashvili kept his cool and levelled the score (1-1, 79’).

BOUDACHE AND WAHI KEEP NICE UP

Le Gym responded immediately with character. Following some good work from Wahi, the ball fell to Boudache on the edge of the box, who beat Larsonneur with a left-footed strike (2-1, 81’).

And the Niçois got another one a few minutes later. Set up perfectly by Louchet, Wahi finished with his left foot to all but seal the match (3-1, 87’).

In stoppage time, Les Aiglons put the game completely beyond doubt on the counter-attack. Wahi – involved in all four of Nice’s goals on the night – bagged a brace by chipping the ball over the keeper to score the fourth (4-1, 90+2’) and secure survival in style.