In-form Lorient secure dramatic late win over Nantes

Matthis Abline ruled out Bamba Dieng's before Arsene Kouassi's late free-kick gifted Lorient the win against Nantes at the Moustoir on Saturday evening (2-1).

Dieng continues excellent run of form

Lorient came into this one on their longest unbeaten run in Ligue 1 McDonald's since 2011, and they quickly seized control of this one, circulating the ball cleanly in the opening exchanges, even if they lacked incision.

It was Les Merlus who had the first notable chance of the game, with Jean-Victor Makengo drilling a shot along the ground and Anthony Lopes making the save (22').

However, there was ultimately nothing that the former Lyon shot-stopper could do minutes later. Théo Le Bris beat Louis Leroux down the right-hand side and whipped in a cross along the ground. It was perfectly met by the in-form Dieng to slide home (32').

That was the Senegal international's third goal in his last four games. Quite the return to prominence for the former Marseille forward, who has had to battle against injuries in recent months.

3 goals in his last 4 matches 🔥

BAMBA DIENG 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/ug8iBvlosd
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 31, 2026

But having done the good work to get ahead, LFC almost immediately ceded their advantage. The Lorient defence was all out of shape, which meant that Rémy Cabella was played onside from a ball from Mostafa Mohamed. It was a difficult chance, but the Ligue 1 McDonald's veteran would have been disappointed not to do better, dragging wide on the turn with his first-time effort (35').

But, having moments before being disappointed not to level, Nantes were grateful not to go two goals behind, and grateful to Lopes for a spectacular save from Pablo Pagis, who met Dieng's cutback (39').

Kouassi with a moment of magic, Avom denied

Les Canaris came out for the second half and sought to get a grasp on the game and whilst they had more possession and more territory in the opening minutes, there was a lack of chance creation from Ahmed Kantari's men, who were stiffled by an organised and compact Lorient defence.

Mohamed did, nonetheless, get a snapshot off on the volley (59'), ensuring that Yann Mvogo remained on his toes. And that then did spark a period of sustained pressure that would finally be rewarded.

Abline was teed up inside the box, but he still had a lot to do, turning sharply past his defender and then tucking into the corner with the outside of his right boot (74'). But Les Merlus would have the last laugh. Kouassi lined up a free-kick on the left-hand side of the Nantes box and launched a spectacular effort directly into the top corner (89').

Arthur Avom thought he had given Les Canaris a point in injury-time, only for a close offside call to deny him (90+2'). Provisionally, Lorient rise to eighth in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

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