Penders' heroics save Strasbourg against Nice

After a lacklustre first half, OGC Nice responded in a big way in the second, but young Strasbourg 'keeper Mike Penders was the difference in a battling one-all draw. Catch up on all the action with our match recap.

Panichelli is back among the goals

The first match of the calendar year for both OGC Nice and RC Strasbourg, this Ligue 1 McDonald's clash marked several potentially large moments. For the hosts, it marked the return of veteran manager Claude Puel, who took charge of the club following the departure of Frank Haise, while it was potentially the final match for Racing's Liam Rosenior, who has been heavily linked with a move into the vacant manager's role at Chelsea. 

With both sides missing key men at AFCON (Mamadou Sarr and Guéla Doué for RCSA, Ali Abdi, Yehvann Diouf and Hicham Boudaoui for Nice), there was a somewhat ragged affect to the match, one that was underscored by the game's first goal, a penalty converted by Joaquín Panichelli (13'). The Argentine, who hadn't scored since October, netted for the tenth time in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season after Abdoul Ouattara was brought down in the box. Just moments later, Racing 'keeper Mike Penders had to be sharp to keep out a curling effort (16') before Sofiane Diop hit the post (24').  But poor finishing from both sides told the story as Strasbourg maintained their lead up until halftime.

Mike Penders with a CRAZY double save 🇧🇪🧤🤯 pic.twitter.com/TeOKWQpxgt

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 3, 2026

A brilliant return for Wahi

In need of a response, Puel brought on Elye Wahi at the break, the young French striker who had spells at Lens, Montpellier and Marseille in the past, but has arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. Wahi's impact on the game was immediate, as he soon scored with a brilliant strike across the face of goal (54'), an effort that left Penders no chance. Penders would do better with Nice's next efforts, making a fine double save to keep out both Wahi and Morgan Sanson just before the hour. 

The rest of the match had much of the character of the first half, with energetic yet sloppy play as neither 'keeper would be strongly tested, leaving the two clubs to share the points in their first Ligue 1 McDonald's match of the year. Next up for both sides is a Round of 32 match in the Coupe de France at the weekend; Strasbourg will travel to face Avranches Saturday, while Nice will play an all-Ligue 1 McDonald's match against FC Nantes on Sunday.

Read more:

>> Sulc doubles up as Lyon beat Monaco

>> A Paris derby and more: What to watch in Ligue 1 this weekend