Match Reports

Le Havre snatch late draw to deny Nantes

Gautier Lloris nets late against FC Nantes to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat to keep Les Canaris at arms-length in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table in Matchday 12
G.BOXALL
Published on 11/08/2025 at 20:20
2-minute read
Le Havre snatch a late point against Nantes

Le Havre AC rescued a point in the dying moments against FC Nantes on Saturday evening, with Gautier Lloris heading home deep into stoppage time to secure a 1–1 draw at the death. Matthis Abline had opened the scoring early on for the visitors, who looked set to leave Normandy with all three points before being denied at the death.

Les Canaris took  the lead after just four minutes - A precise cross from Kévin Amian found Abline, whose powerful header left Arthur Desmas Diaw scrambling helplessly (4'). From then on, Luís Castro’s side sat deep and defended resolutely to frustrate the hosts for long spells of the first half and start of the second. 

The hosts grew into the game and came close through Issa Soumaré, who struck the post early in the second half, while Andreas Carlgren pulled off several key saves to keep the Canaris in front. As the match entered stoppage time, the pressure finally told. Substitute Oualid Doucouré whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Lloris rose above Chidozie Awaziem to head home the equaliser to the raptures of Stade Océane (90+5').

The result sees Le Havre remain 12th in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table with 14 points, while Nantes sit one place and one point behind, just above the relegation play-off spot occupied by Lorient.

The STAT: Les Canaris grounded away from home

Nantes have won just four of their 23 away matches in Ligue 1 McDonald's since the beginning of the last season (D9 L10), the joint-fewest tally of any team in the top-flight across that period, alongside Auxerre.

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