Kombouaré makes winning start as Paris FC beat Nice in relegation six-pointer
Antoine Kombouaré’s tenure at Paris FC began in ideal fashion on Sunday afternoon as the capital club secured a crucial 1–0 victory over OGC Nice in a tense Ligue 1 relegation battle.
In a match that pitted 15th against 14th, the stakes were high, and the hosts delivered a disciplined performance to claim three vital points at Stade Jean-Bouin.
The decisive moment arrived in the 26th minute, when Paris FC capitalised on a costly mistake from Nice goalkeeper Maxime Dupé. Moses Simon attempted a speculative effort from distance, but Dupé spilled the ball at his near post. Marshall Munetsi reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound and smashing the ball into the roof of the net to give the hosts the lead.
From there, Kombouaré’s side showed the defensive resilience that has long defined their new manager’s teams.
Nice had an early opportunity to take the lead when Kevin Carlos went down in the box and a penalty was initially awarded, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review and the forward was instead booked for simulation. It proved to be a pivotal moment in the contest.
Paris FC continued to threaten in transition, with Pierre Lees-Melou dictating play from midfield and repeatedly finding space between the lines. The former Brest midfielder came close to doubling the lead after the break, forcing Dupé into a sharp save with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
PFC stay resolute
Nice pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and substitutes Ganago and Boudache injected energy into the visitors’ attack. Krasso came closest to levelling the score when he struck the post in the closing stages, while goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was called into action several times to preserve the lead.
The closing minutes grew increasingly heated. Paris FC were reduced to ten men deep into stoppage time when De Smet received a second yellow card following an altercation with Mohamed-Ali Cho, but the hosts managed to hold on through a flurry of late Nice corners.
The final whistle confirmed a precious victory for Paris FC, giving Kombouaré the perfect start to his tenure and lifting the club nine points clear of the relegation zone, at least temporarily.
THE STAT: First home win since october
Paris FC secured their first home win in Ligue 1 since 3 October 2025 (2-0 v Lorient), ending their longest winless streak (8 matches – D4 L4) in all competitions since August 2015-May 2016 (15).
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