Playing at home on Friday evening, the Nice players delivered a commanding second-half display to turn around the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff tie against Saint-Étienne. After a goalless first leg on Tuesday, the Alpine Riviera faithful saw their team dominate proceedings in a much more open contest.

The turning point came when Zuriko Davitashvili equalized from the penalty spot, before Kail Boudache – the 19-year-old sensation – put Nice ahead just two minutes later. Elye Wahi then sealed the win with two late goals (87th and 90+2nd minutes), sparking wild celebrations from the players, staff and 35,000-strong crowd at the Allianz Riviera.

Nice, which finished 16th in the regular season, will now play in Ligue 1 next season, extending their top-flight tenure to 25 consecutive campaigns. Saint-Étienne, relegated after the 2024-25 season, will drop down to Ligue 2 for at least one campaign. Metz and Nantes also successfully avoided relegation.

Key moments from the playoff showdown

• Zuriko Davitashvili’s 65th-minute penalty equalized the tie after Saint-Étienne had dominated early pressure.
• Kail Boudache, the teenager sensation, scored just two minutes later to put Nice in front.
• Elye Wahi struck twice in stoppage time to confirm the result and send the home side into jubilation.

The victory marks a dramatic escape from the drop zone for Nice, who had looked shaky in the final weeks of the season. The Ligue 1 status is secured, while Saint-Étienne face a rebuilding phase in the second tier.