OGC Nice made their way through to the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals tonight thanks to a resounding 3-1 win in their last-16 second leg against Sheriff Tiraspol at the Allianz Riviera, with Gaëtan Laborde, Terem Moffi and Billal Brahimi the goalscorers for Les Niçois.

Historical! Magnificent! No matter what superlative you use, this match will remain in the record books and in the memories. 63 years after Vic and the gang, Le Gym will play a European quarter-final in April. On Thursday evening, in front of their extraordinary public, nothing was given: they went and took it all. Everything and especially the victory, which capped off a quality and, overall, a controlled performance. Set out in a 4-3-3 with three changes from the first leg (Bard, Ramsey and Brahimi in for Dante - suspended -, Amraoui and Boudaoui, not on the team sheet because of hip pain) and Todibo with the captain's armband, Nice quickly set the tone. Against with a low defensive block, and a very robust 3-5-2, one may have imagined that the solution would come from a set piece, with finesse and precision. In the end, it came from a devastating transition. Seeing the space in front of him, because of Garanenga's untimely run forward, Thuram - called up by Didier Deschamps for the French team this afternoon - rushed into it. He then delivered the perfect ball between two defenders for Laborde, who finished with composure and scored his ninth goal for Le Gym (his 11th of the season).

After the opening goal, the hosts kept control of the game. Placed in front of the defence, Ramsey dictated the rhythm and tempo. He alternated short and long passes, controlled the width of Nice's play and offered a technical assurance to Les Rouge et Noir when in possession. Le Gym did not concede a shot on target before half-time. They were dangerous when Ramsey's half-volley was deflected for a corner (25') and, above all, thanks to Moffi's inspirational brilliance. The Super Eagle accelerated in stoppage time, and just when everyone thought he would look for power from the edge of the box, he delicately chipped the ball goalward. Koval was beaten but the ball landed on the roof of the net (45+1').

MOFFI AND BRAHIMI DECISIVE

It was only forestalling the inevitable for the Calabar Comet, who lit up Allianz Riviera just after the restart. Using his body perfectly, jinking to find space in the box, Moffi – set up by Rosario – made it 2-0 to Les Aiglons (2-0, 53’).

But the two-goal cushion wasn't to last long, as Tapsoba reduced the gap immediately, pouncing on a loose ball in the box, he shot between the legs of Schmeichel (2-1, 55'). The visiting Sheriff side burst into life. Nice went through its only period of doubt in the match. Coach Digard saw it and reacted, making four changes shortly after the hour mark. Viti, Amraoui, Beka Beka and Pepe - back to competition after a knee injury contracted after the trip to Reims on January 15 - replaced Ramsey, Lotomba, Bard and Laborde. The formation switched to a 3-4-3, before Belahyane replaced Ndayishimiye (75') and Le Gym switched back to a 4-3-3 for the last 15 minutes.

It was a last quarter of an hour made beautiful by Billal Brahimi. A man for the big occasion, the Algeria international created a huge opening in the heart of the midfield in the 79th minute, slaloming past defenders at speed. He played in Moffi, who hit the post, but as football rewards the worthy, the ball fell to 'Billou' and he sent Allianz Riviera into rapture, tackling the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

With the result beyond doubt, the last 10 minutes were totally joyous. The Allianz Riviera revelled in an historic performance. Pepe, in great form, was dangerous with every touch. In the end, there was no further change to the score and when the final whistle blew, the people of Nice celebrated their side's qualification as one.

The quarter-final opponent will be revealed in the draw this Friday. And then it will be time to turn attentions back to L1, where Les Aiglons will host Lorient this Sunday at 15:00 CET, in Matchday 28.