Nice faces Saint-Étienne in Ligue 1 playoff after dramatic final day

After a tense 34th and final matchday, Nice will face Saint-Étienne in a playoff on May 26 and 29 after failing to defeat Metz (0-0) in their final league match. Meanwhile, Le Havre secured their Ligue 1 status with a 2-0 victory at Lorient, and Auxerre maintained their position with a 2-0 win at Lille.

As Nantes and Metz were confirmed for relegation to Ligue 2, the spotlight turned to the 16th position in Ligue 1, which would determine which team would face Saint-Étienne in the playoff. Nice, occupying that spot before the final matchday, failed to escape it despite a lackluster performance at home against Metz.

A missed opportunity for Nice

The Niçois could not break the deadlock against the Ligue 1 basement side, managing only a goalless draw. Despite a late surge from supporters who invaded the Allianz Riviera pitch, Nice will now face a playoff showdown. The first leg will be played at Geoffroy-Guichard on May 26, with the return match scheduled for May 29 at the Allianz Riviera. The playoff comes just days after Nice’s Coupe de France final against Lens at the Stade de France on May 22.

Heroic performances secure Le Havre and Auxerre

While Nice faltered, both Le Havre and Auxerre delivered strong away performances to secure their Ligue 1 survival. Auxerre stunned Lille with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a brace from Lassine Sinayoko, who scored in the 32nd and 90th minutes. Meanwhile, Le Havre triumphed 2-0 at Lorient, with an own goal from Lorient defender Abdoulaye Faye and a strike from Issa Soumaré sealing their fate. Lorient’s Bamba Dieng missed a penalty in stoppage time.