OGC Nice secured their Ligue 1 survival with a resounding 4-1 home win over Saint-Étienne in the decisive second leg of the relegation playoff. The evening belonged to Elye Wahi, who struck twice to cap an emotional night at the Allianz Riviera.
Having missed the first leg due to suspension, Wahi returned with a point to prove. The 22-year-old forward, who joined Nice on loan in the January window, had endured a difficult spell at Olympique Marseille, but he rediscovered his scoring touch when it mattered most.
The match started at a frenetic pace, with both sides knowing the stakes. Saint-Étienne, chasing a return to Ligue 1 after two seasons in the second tier, pressed high but left gaps at the back. Wahi exploited those spaces in the 28th minute, latching onto a through ball and slotting calmly past the goalkeeper to give Nice the lead.
The early goal settled home nerves, and Nice began to control the tempo. Wahi doubled the advantage just before halftime, rising highest to head home a cross from the right, leaving the visiting defense in disarray. The brace put Nice firmly in command at 2-0 on the night.
Saint-Étienne rallied after the break, pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 and briefly threaten a comeback. But Nice responded with two quick strikes to kill the tie, running out 4-1 winners and sparking jubilant celebrations among the players and fans.
At the final whistle, Wahi broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the emotion of the night. The striker, who has faced criticism throughout his young career, was embraced by teammates and staff, a testament to the collective relief flowing through the club.
Speaking after the match, Wahi articulated his feelings of gratitude. He acknowledged the struggles of the season but expressed pride in helping the team achieve survival. He singled out the club for giving him a platform to express himself, a clear swipe at his previous struggles in Marseille.
The journey to this moment was far from straightforward. Wahi burst onto the scene at Montpellier as a teenage prodigy, earning a move to Marseille with high expectations. However, he failed to settle at the Stade Vélodrome, and his January loan to Nice was seen as a last-chance saloon. His playoff heroics have now written a new chapter.
For Nice, the victory concludes a turbulent campaign under Claude Puel. The veteran manager faced immense pressure in recent weeks as the team flirted with the drop. This survival, achieved on their own ground, offers a foundation to rebuild and avoid similar struggles next season.
The result is a bitter pill for Saint-Étienne, who fell short in their quest to climb back into the elite. Having dominated large portions of the Ligue 2 season, they will now spend a third consecutive year in the second division, wondering what might have been.
Looking ahead, Nice must use this escape as a catalyst for change. The squad requires reinforcement, and Wahi's future will be a talking point. For now, though, the tears of joy from their number nine symbolize a season of hardship ending in triumph.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.