Recap: Gaëtan Laborde's Brace Fuels Nice's Win Over Reims

OGC Nice have put themselves within one point of third place AS Monaco following their 4-2 win over Stade de Reims on Saturday night at Stade Auguste-Delaune II.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 28th minute thanks to a goal from Evann Guessand, who scored on a header from the center of the box following a corner. Nice's lead didn't last long as the home side responded with a goal of their own in the 34th minute.

Reims equalized at 1-1 when Junya Ito found the net with a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box. Despite Luka Elsner and his team leveling the score, they'd concede the lead back to Nice right before halftime.

Cédric Kipré fouled Gaëtan Laborde inside the box, leading to a penalty kick for Nice. The veteran Laborde stepped up to take the shot and scored with a left-footed strike in the 44th minute.

Nice went into halftime with a 2-1 advantage and didn't waste time adding to their lead in the second half. In the 64th minute, Laborde recorded a brace after scoring on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to give Franck Haise and his squad a 3-1 lead.

Reims did show some fight, cutting the deficit to one goal after a goal from Mamadou Diakhon in the 71st minute. The 19-year-old scored on a right-footed shot from outside the box following a fast break.

Although the home side pulled within a goal, Nice sealed the win in the 86th minute with a vital insurance goal. Ali Abdi fired a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, giving the away team the breathing room they needed to secure all three points.

Following their win, Haise spoke to the media and praised his team for what he says has been their most complete match of the season.

"Right now, yes, I would say that yes, this is our most complete match. Everyone needs to speak the same language. We've been working together for six months. We're finding consistency in training. It's not a coincidence."

The Stat: Gaëtan Laborde's impressive scoring form

Laborde has been a key figure in Nice's attack, scoring in his last four Ligue 1 McDonald's matches. The 30-year-old's goals have helped Les Aiglons remain unbeaten during this run, with three wins and one draw.

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