OGC Nice pulled off a thrilling comeback to secure their Ligue 1 status in dramatic fashion on Friday evening. The Aiglons dominated the second leg of the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff at the Allianz Riviera, defeating AS Saint-Étienne 3-1 in a match far more exciting than the goalless first leg.

From stalemate to victory

Three days after a dull first leg that produced no shots on target, Nice transformed the return match into a high-energy spectacle. The turning point came when Zuriko Davitashvili equalized from the penalty spot, but the real drama unfolded in the 81st minute when teenager Kail Boudache (19) broke through to score just two minutes later. The young forward’s strike put Nice ahead for the first time in the tie.

Elye Wahi then sealed the victory with two late goals in the 87th and 90+2nd minutes, sending the Allianz Riviera faithful into raptures. The 3-1 aggregate score meant Nice would compete in Ligue 1 for a 25th consecutive season, while Saint-Étienne’s journey in the top flight was cut short.

Relief and celebration

The victory was met with jubilation from the Nice squad and coaching staff. The club’s 16th-place finish in the regular season meant they had to navigate the playoff to avoid relegation, and they did so in emphatic style. Metz and Nantes also secured their Ligue 1 futures alongside Nice, while Saint-Étienne will now compete in Ligue 2 during the 2026-2027 campaign.

The thrilling conclusion to the playoff match capped a rollercoaster season for Nice, who had flirted with relegation throughout the campaign. The players’ resilience and attacking flair ultimately ensured their survival in the elite division.