Angers hammer Nantes in 4-1 derby win

Angers SCO picked up a vital 4-1 win over Breton rivals FC Nantes to kick off Matchday 16 in Ligue 1 McDonald's. Catch up on all the action from the Stade Raymond Kopa with our match report.

A battling first half...

In their first match since dismissing Luis Castro, the chips were down for FC Nantes -- despite being on the road, they needed a result against a rival to climb out of the relegation zone. Missing midfield lynchpin Louis Leroux, the test would be difficult for Ahmed Kantari as he made his debut on the bench for Les Canaris. As for Le SCO, their young and enterprising side has been one of France's form teams and looked well-positioned to extend their neighbors' misery. 

 After a combative first half, Angers would open the scoring from the spot through Himad Abdelli, the captain converting after a handball by Tylel Tati (17'). Ten minutes later, Hervé Koffi had to make a diving save to keep out Yassine Benhattab before Anthony Lopes made a diving stop to keep out Amine Sbäi. Beyond that, opportunities were far and few between and halftime came with only Abdelli's penalty to separate the two sides.

HIMAD ABDELLI. 🔟🇩🇿👋 pic.twitter.com/EovnypKuWZ

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 12, 2025

...with Angers coming to life in the second!

On the hour, Angers would double their lead through teenager Sidiki Cherif. The young winger slalomed between a pair of Nantes defenders before slamming the ball past Lopes, who had come off of his line. Moments later, Yassim Belkhidim nearly netted a third, but his shot just flashed wide of the upright. 

Fabien Centonze would pull one back ten minutes from time, but Angers finished the match in style with goals from substitutes Djibrin Harouna (85') and Lilian Raolisoa (90 +2'). With the result, the hosts, who have won four of five, move up to a provisional ninth, while are level on points with bottom side Metz.

The stat: 4

Sidiki Cherif has now scored four goals in two months -- a span in which Angers have the league's fourth-best record with 17 points.

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