Nices Spanish forward #90 Kevin Carlos (R) fights for the ball with Saint-Etiennes French defender #26 Julien Le Cardinal (L) during the French L1-L2 playoff football match between AS Saint-Etienne (L2) OGC Nice (L1) at the stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, south-eastern France, on May 26, 2026. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)
The clash between AS Saint-Étienne and OGC Nice in the first leg of the Ligue 1 playoff ended in a tight 0-0 draw at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. With everything still to play for, the second leg in Nice on Friday will decide which team secures a spot in France’s top flight.
Dull affair under the lights
The match lived up to its scoreless name, producing little excitement in front of a roaring crowd eager for their team to make a statement. Despite the intense atmosphere, neither side managed to break the deadlock, with a total of 11 shots fired but not a single one on target. Key moments came and went, including a close effort from Clauss in the 25th minute, Davitashvili’s strike in the 58th, and Boakye’s header six minutes later, all thwarted by resolute defending.
A missed opportunity for Saint-Étienne
While the home side dominated possession and pushed hard for a breakthrough, they failed to capitalize on their home advantage. The pressure mounted on Nice, especially after Bouaddi’s early departure following a head injury, but the visitors held firm. Saint-Étienne’s inability to take control of the game leaves them with an uphill task ahead of the return fixture.
Nice’s survival hopes hinge on Nice
The second leg promises to be a tense affair as both teams vie for promotion or survival. As it stands, Nice—currently 16th in Ligue 1—must avoid defeat or secure a draw to avoid relegation, while Saint-Étienne, third in Ligue 2, aims to close the gap and force a decider. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the suspense will only intensify in the coming days.
