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Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Relegation Play-off Second Leg, 29 May 2026

OGC Nice confirmed their place in next season’s Ligue 1 after defeating AS Saint-Étienne 4-1 on aggregate (4-1 on the night) in Friday’s decisive relegation play-off clash.

Despite the absence of supporters at the Allianz Riviera, the atmosphere was tense. OGC Nice, forced to play behind closed doors after their fans invaded the pitch following the previous home fixture nearly two weeks earlier, were battling to preserve their top-flight status. Saint-Étienne, on the other hand, were determined to take that spot for themselves.

The first leg produced no goals and not even a single shot on target, leaving everything to be decided in this second encounter. The stakes were immense for Nice, a side no one expected to be in such peril after starting the season in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Les Verts were tipped for a swift return to Ligue 1 following their relegation last year, having managed to hold on to their key players Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili.

It was Stassin who first found the back of the net in the 10th minute, but his effort was disallowed for offside after he deflected Irvin Cardona’s shot past Yehvann Diouf. Dubbed “The Match of Fear” in France, the encounter reflected exactly that, as the home team played with visible tension and anxiety.

Stassin had further opportunities but couldn’t convert either of his stretching efforts. At the other end, Elye Wahi struck the post, signalling a shift in momentum. Spurred by those near misses, Nice began to dominate as the first half drew to a close, with Dante and Antoine Mendy both threatening to score.

Le Gym continued to carve out clear chances after the restart, and only the heroics of Gautier Larsonneur kept Sainté in contention. The ASSE goalkeeper produced a brilliant double save, denying both Kail Boudache and Wahi in quick succession. Moments later, however, Nice finally broke the deadlock through a well-taken volley from Jonathan Clauss.

Boudache and Wahi came close again, but Larsonneur stood firm, keeping his side in the contest. Saint-Étienne then gained a lifeline when a controversial penalty was awarded for an Antoine Mendy handball. Ligue 2 Player of the Season Zuriko Davitashvili made no mistake from the spot to level the score.

With ten minutes remaining, the match exploded into life. Boudache, who has been linked with a transfer away from his boyhood club, restored Nice’s lead with a stunning curling effort, celebrating with a mix of anger and relief. Saint-Étienne had no choice but to throw players forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back.

Wahi twice exploited those spaces, racing clear one-on-one with Larsonneur each time. He kept his composure to score twice, sealing the result and effectively ending the contest despite nine minutes of stoppage time. The striker, set to depart following the end of his loan spell, delivered a memorable farewell performance.

For Nice, it was a narrow escape from catastrophe. For Saint-Étienne, the defeat was disastrous, marking another setback in their bid to return to the top flight. The club’s ambitious owners now face a difficult summer, and it seems unlikely that their most prized players will stay after this latest disappointment.

Report by Luke Entwistle from Nice