Nice beat Nantes thanks to Jérémie Boga winner
OGC Nice narrowly beat FC Nantes (1-0) to bounce back from a defeat to Le Havre last time out in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Kevin Carlos in search of first Nice goal
Nantes came with a clear game plan to stifle Nice. It is a game plan now very much associated with Nantes, who, under multiple managers in recent years, have often been difficult to break down.
However, Le Gym had early success. Nice exploited the space on the wings, with Nantes opting to block out central zones. Kojo Peprah Oppong had particular joy going forward, and in the second minute, he found Kevin Carlos in the box. The Spaniard's shot was straight at Anthony Lopes, who had a busy game in the Nantes goal.
The former Lyon goalkeeper was in the right place again moments later to deny Hicham Boudaoui, who put the ball, once again, right at the Portuguese shotstopper.
Whilst Nice dominated the first half, Nantes had one of the best chances, with Hyunseok Hong heading straight at Yehvann Diouf when he ought to have found the back of the net from close range.
Having survived the scare, Franck Haise's side got back on the front foot. Sofiane Diop hit the post with a long-range effort, whilst Kevin Carlos really should have done better when put clean through by Charles Vanhoutte. Once again, the Spaniard shot straight at Lopes.
2 goals in his last 3 matches. 💫
Jérémie Boga. 🇨🇮🔥 pic.twitter.com/yIavEMoyNi— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 13, 2025
However, Nice did get their goal early in the second half. It was Vanhoutte, excellent on his debut, who was the instigator, intercepting in midfield, unleashing Jérémie Boga, who drove at the defence, into the Nantes box, before dinking over Lopes.
Thereafter, Les Canaris were chasing the game. Forced to commit extra bodies to the attacking effort, there were spaces for Nice to exploit. Terem Moffi, with his first touch of the bench, forced Lopes' best save of the match with a flicked header, destined to nestle inside the far post, but for the former OL shot-stopper's intervention.
Vanhoutte elected Man of the match on debut
The Nigerian was then involved in a break that was finished by Morgan Sanson, however, the goal was disallowed with Moffi offside in the buil-up. However, Nice held on comfortably to return to winning ways, after defeat to Le Havre last time out in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Vanhoutte was elected man of the match on debut. "He did that after four days! We already saw it during the week," said Haise of his new midfielder.
He added, "After two sessions, everyone understood why I insisted on bringing him here. He is a very intelligent player with lots of reliability on many levels."
The stat: 3
Nice have recorded three clean sheets in their last seven Ligue 1 McDonald's games, as many as in their previous 21. It was also Le Gym's first clean sheet of the current season.
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