Nice's season was a prolonged ordeal, but it concluded with sheer elation at the Allianz Riviera, even in an empty stadium. Facing the real threat of relegation, the club knew that only victory in the playoff second leg against Saint-Étienne would preserve their top-flight status. And they delivered, securing a decisive 4-1 win that sparked relief across the Côte d'Azur.
Saint-Étienne, desperate to return to Ligue 1 after years in the wilderness, started brightly. They thought they had taken an early lead when Cardona slotted home, but the goal was ruled out for offside after just nine minutes. Moments later, Stassin threatened, forcing a save. The visitors were showing they would not go down without a fight.
Nice gradually found their rhythm, and Wahi came agonizingly close when his effort rattled the post. The home side pushed forward, creating a flurry of chances, but Saint-Étienne goalkeeper Larsonneur stood firm. The first half ended goalless, but the tension was thick.
After the break, Saint-Étienne again went close as Stassin struck the frame of the goal. But Nice responded with purpose. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Jonathan Clauss unleashed a left-footed strike to make it 1-0. The relief was overwhelming, but it was short-lived.
A VAR check penalized a handball by Mendy, granting Saint-Étienne a penalty. Davitashvili stepped up with composure, converting to level the score at 1-1 in the 79th minute. Amid the chaos, Dante had to leave the pitch injured. The veteran defender, making his final appearance for Nice, was in tears on the bench, fearing his farewell would end in despair.
But Nice’s response was immediate and poignant. Two minutes after the equalizer, Boudache, a youth academy product, bent a beautiful left-footed shot into the net, restoring the lead at 2-1. Dante’s tears turned to elation as he celebrated wildly from the bench. It was a moment that encapsulated the club’s fighting spirit.
With Saint-Étienne now forced to commit forward, spaces opened up. Wahi, who had missed the first leg, took full advantage. In the 87th minute, he fired a precise cross-shot to make it 3-1, effectively ending the contest. Then, in stoppage time, he capped a virtuoso performance with a delicate chipped finish, his second of the night, sealing the 4-1 win.
Saint-Étienne, to their credit, never gave up. Substitute Boakye nearly scored a spectacular goal, his long-range missile crashing against the bar. But the woodwork denied them again, symbolizing a season of near-misses. The final whistle brought an outpouring of relief from the Nice players and staff.
For Nice, the implications are profound. Avoiding relegation preserves not only their Ligue 1 status but also the financial stability and morale of the club. With Dante now departing, a new chapter begins, but the foundation remains. The club can plan for the future with renewed hope.
For Saint-Étienne, the wait to return to the elite continues. Having been a dominant force in French football, their latest campaign in Ligue 2 means yet another year of rebuilding. The disappointment is palpable, but the club must regroup and again challenge for promotion.
The match itself was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons: Nice showing resilience when it mattered, Saint-Étienne flirting with revival but falling short. Wahi’s late heroics provided the exclamation point on a night of high drama.
As the dust settled, Nice could finally breathe. The season of suffering ended in salvation, a stark reminder of the fine margins in football. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.