Nice 1-1 Le Mans: Bourabaa and Wahi share the goals

A point apiece at Allianz Riviera

Nice and Le Mans drew 1-1 at the Allianz Riviera, with both goals arriving before half-time. Le Mans took the lead through Adil Bourabaa in the 13th minute, while Sepe Elye Wahi equalised for Nice in the 44th minute. Neither side could find a winner after the interval, leaving the Ligue 1 regular-season match level at full-time.

Le Mans made the sharper start. Bourabaa converted Jean Vercruysse’s assist to put the visitors ahead, and his performance earned him the highest rating of the match at 7.7. He played 70 minutes, registered one shot on target and made two tackles. Vercruysse also made an early impact, supplying the assist and recording one key pass before being replaced in the 61st minute.

Nice responded just before the break when Wahi scored from Sofiane Diop’s assist. The forward completed the match and was Nice’s standout performer, receiving a 7.6 rating after scoring once and registering one shot on target. The equaliser ensured the hosts went into half-time level and gave them a platform to control more of the second half.

Nice had more of the ball, but Le Mans tested the goalkeeper

The statistics showed Nice holding the territorial advantage without turning it into a winning scoreline. O. Pantaloni’s side had 59% possession, completed 472 accurate passes from 541 attempts and won five corners. Le Mans completed 314 accurate passes from 389 total passes, but the visitors matched Nice’s total shot count at eight.

Nice created more attempts from inside the penalty area, with five compared with two for Le Mans, while Le Mans had the edge in shots from outside the box, six to three. The visitors also finished with three shots on goal to Nice’s two, although Nice had four shots off target and Le Mans had four as well. The figures pointed to a balanced contest in front of goal despite Nice’s control of possession.

Cards increase after the break

The match remained disciplined overall, with no red cards and four yellow cards. Alexandre Lauray was booked for Le Mans in the 58th minute, followed by Youssouf Ndayishimiye of Nice in the 75th. Noa Boissé received Le Mans’ second booking in the 82nd minute, and Wahi was cautioned two minutes later.

Both teams made several changes as they sought a decisive moment, but the score did not change. Nice’s draw followed a pre-match sequence of a draw and a loss, while Le Mans arrived with the same record. The supplied Ligue 1 standings list Nice 17th and Le Mans 14th, with each on one point from two games; this result leaves the sides still searching for their first league win.