The final day of the Ligue 1 season was packed with tension as three teams battled for survival. While Nantes and Metz were already confirmed as direct relegations to Ligue 2, the fate of the 16th-placed team—and their potential playoff against Saint-Étienne—hung in the balance. Nice, occupying that precarious position before the final matchday, failed to break the deadlock against Metz, ending their hopes of automatic safety.
The Allianz Riviera erupted in frustration as frustrated Nice supporters invaded the pitch after the goalless draw, a stark contrast to the controlled celebrations elsewhere. The Aiglons now face a critical playoff against Saint-Étienne, with the first leg in Saint-Étienne on May 26 and the return fixture in Nice on May 29. Their survival hopes come just days after the Coupe de France final, where Nice will take on Lens at the Stade de France on May 22.
Heroic performances secure Le Havre and Auxerre’s top-flight survival
While Nice faltered, their rivals for survival delivered impressive away wins. Auxerre, coached by Christophe Pelissier, pulled off a remarkable upset against Lille, with Lassine Sinayoko scoring twice (32’, 90’) to secure a 2-0 victory. Sinayoko’s brace marked his 11th and 12th league goals of the season, a pivotal contribution that kept the Burgundy side in Ligue 1.
Simultaneously, Le Havre, under Didier Digard, triumphed 2-0 at Lorient. The visitors’ goals came from an own goal by Lorient’s Abdoulaye Faye (33’) and a strike by Issa Soumaré (62’). Meanwhile, Lorient’s Bamba Dieng missed a penalty (45’+5), adding to the drama. These results ensured both Auxerre and Le Havre’s top-flight survival, with the latter finishing just a point clear of the playoff zone.