OGC Nice suffered a 2-0 defeat against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday at the Allianz Riviera, concluding Matchday 25 of Ligue 1. Despite a solid first hour, the Aiglons were punished in quick succession in the final stretch of the game.

It’s the end of an unbeaten streak for Le Gym. For the first time this season, Franck Haise’s men were defeated at home in the league. A true top-of-the-table clash, Sunday night's encounter between the Rouge et Noir (3rd at kickoff) and OL (6th) had plenty of twists and turns. While the visitors secured victory late on thanks to Rayan Cherki (78') and Ernest Nuamah (83'), it was the side from the Côte d'Azur who dominated proceedings for the first 60 minutes.

Lining up in their usual 3-4-3 formation with only one change from their victory over Saint-Étienne last weekend—Hicham Boudaoui returning to midfield alongside Baptiste Santamaria—the Aiglons applied relentless pressure on their opponents. Under the pouring rain, Gaëtan Laborde and his teammates made Lyon’s build-up play difficult, winning numerous balls near the visitors' penalty area.

Laborde hits the post

One such turnover led to Nice’s first big chance, initiated by a great recovery from Evann Guessand on the right flank. What followed? A perfect cross from Jonathan Clauss, met at the near post by Mohamed-Ali Cho, but Lyon’s goalkeeper Lucas Perri pulled off a stunning reflex save (18’). The biggest opportunity came just after the half-hour mark, this time from the left wing. Melvin Bard delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Laborde—who has scored nine Ligue 1 goals this season—connected with a powerful header, only to see it crash against the post (32’).

After dominating the first half, the Rouge et Noir tried to maintain their grip on the match in the second period. However, Lyon gradually gained control. In a similar fashion to Laborde’s chance, Corentin Tolisso nearly made the difference with a close-range header, but his effort flew just over Marcin Bułka’s crossbar (59’). The main catalyst for Lyon’s play, Argentine international Thiago Almada, tested Bułka twice from distance (46’, 73’), but the Nice goalkeeper was equal to the challenge.

A cruel ending to the match

In the end, it was two substitutes who shattered Nice’s hopes. First, Rayan Cherki, found in the heart of the box by Almada, coolly slotted past Bułka in a one-on-one situation (0-1, 78’). Then, Ernest Nuamah sealed the victory with a curling shot from the edge of the area, leaving the Polish goalkeeper with no chance (0-2, 83’).

Despite two late efforts from Guessand—both comfortably dealt with by Perri (80’, 81’)—Nice failed to find the net. Their unbeaten streak at the Allianz Riviera comes to an end after 11 home matches in Ligue 1, but their season is far from over. Still sitting third in the league table, Coach Haise’s squad remains three points behind Marseille and continues to fight for European qualification. They’ll have a quick opportunity to bounce back, with Auxerre visiting on Friday 14 March at 8.45pm.

Hugo Rondet