Nice foil Lyon to get back to winning ways

OGC Nice ended a five-match winless streak in a 3-1 win over an Olympique Lyonnais side that missed a golden opportunity to go top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table on Saturday afternoon at the Allianz Riviera. Goals from Melvin Bard, Sofiane Diop, and Hicham Boudaoui sealed all three points despite a Šulc header and a penalty saved by Yehvenn Diouf.

Les Aiglons wasted no time asserting themselves. With just five minutes played, Melvin Bard opened the scoring against his former club, hammering home a fierce right-footed strike at the near post after a precise cross from Sofiane Diop (5').

Lyon came into the weekend just two points off leaders PSG, and found themselves behind early on. Yet Les Gones dealt with it well. Paulo Fonseca’s side dominated possession and created a flurry of chances, deservedly equalising on the half-hour mark when Patrik Šulc headed home from a corner to level proceedings.

Diouf’s heroics and Boudaoui’s knockout blow

The momentum seemed to swing in OL’s favour, but Diop restored the home side’s lead before the break (36’), following up Cho’s initial header, to score from close range. Lyon began the second period on the front foot and were handed a golden opportunity to level once more when VAR confirmed a penalty for handball by Vanhoutte. Yet Nice goalkeeper Diouf making only his third Ligue 1 start produced a superb diving save to deny the visiting full-back from the spot.

Barely two minutes later, the Allianz Riviera erupted. On a rapid counter-attack led by Jonathan Clauss, the France international cut the ball back for Hicham Boudaoui, whose crisp, low finish left Greif helpless (3–1, 56’). That double sequence with a penalty missed, followed by a goal conceded on the break — proved the game’s turning point.

After a difficult run of results, this victory offered welcome relief for Franck Haise, whose side climbed back into the top half of the table. For Lyon, meanwhile, it was a missed opportunity to seize top spot in Ligue 1 McDonald's. It ultimately handed Olympique de Marseille the opportunity to take advantage in the evening fixture.

THE STAT: First

Hicham Boudaoui has scored his first goal in the Ligue 1 this season, netting for the first time since 23rd February 2025 against Montpellier - according to Opta. It was a fine finish on the counter attack for the Niçois who scored twice for Les Aiglons last season.