Ludovic Blas fires Nantes to Coupe de France final win over Nice

FC Nantes secured their fourth Coupe de France crown and their first major trophy since 2001 as Antoine Kombouare’s side edged out OGC Nice 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris to celebrate a long-awaited triumph. The first half was cagey for both sides, with few clear-cut chances of note being created as the enormity of the occasion may have affected the players on the pitch. Ad/> However, just 15 seconds into the second half, there was drama as Nantes were awarded a penalty.

Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui was judged to have handled the ball in the box by match official Stephanie Frappart. Ligue 1PSG slip up as Ligue 1 rivals Nice grab late winner05/03/2022 AT 19:07 Nantes striker Ludovic Blas made no mistake from the spot-kick, as the forward smashed his penalty into the top corner beyond Marcin Bulka in the Nice goal to give Les Canaris the advantage with his 14th goal of the season. Nice then had back-to-back chances midway through the second half to level the game, as Amine Gouiri’s low shot was kept out by Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont with a diving save.

The follow-up from Andy Delort was then cleared off the line by defender Andrei Girotto. Les Canaris held on in the dying moments to secure another famous night in their 79-year history — as tempers flared in the dying seconds. TALKING POINT — A famous night for Nantes After struggles in recent years, which has seen no less than two relegations to Ligue 2 in the period between their last major success, this victory will be sweet for the Nantes fans tonight at the Stade de France.