Nice’s 2-1 win ends Lille’s unbeaten start

Nice take early lead through own goal

Nice defeated Lille 2-1 at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday, September 20, with the victory ending Lille’s unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 regular season. Nice led 1-0 at half-time after Nathan Ngoy put the ball into his own net in the 22nd minute.

The opening goal gave Nice a valuable advantage after a cautious start. Mohamed Abdelmoneim was booked for Nice in the fifth minute, while Xavier Mandza also received a yellow card just before the interval. The hosts protected their lead through half-time despite Lille having more of the ball as the match developed.

Amoura doubles advantage before Lille respond

Nice extended the lead in the 67th minute. Gauthier Hein supplied the assist for Mohamed Amoura, who scored a normal goal to make it 2-0. Amoura was one of Nice’s most influential players, finishing with a match rating of 8.2, one shot on target, two key passes and four tackles in 77 minutes.

Lille reduced the deficit 12 minutes later. Maurits Kjaergaard assisted Ayase Ueda in the 79th minute, and Ueda’s finish gave the visitors a route back into the match. Ueda completed the game with four shots on target and a rating of 7.8, but Lille could not find a second goal. Kjaergaard was booked in the 90th minute, while Nice finished with three yellow cards and Lille with one. Neither side received a red card.

Lille controlled possession but lacked the result

The statistics show why the final score did not fully reflect the balance of play. Lille held 59% possession, completed 466 accurate passes from 534 attempts and produced 20 total shots. Nice had 41% possession, 336 accurate passes from 391 and 10 shots. Lille also won seven corners to Nice’s three and registered eight shots on goal.

Nice’s defence and goalkeeper Y. Diouf proved decisive. Diouf made seven saves and earned a 7.8 rating, while Lille goalkeeper made three saves. Lille’s greater attacking volume included 14 shots from inside the box, compared with seven for Nice, but the hosts were more efficient with their opportunities. Nice’s second goal created the difference before Lille’s late response.

Three points change the teams’ positions in the table

Nice began the round 18th with two points from four matches and a record of two draws and two defeats. This win gives them five points after five games and adds a victory to that recent sequence. Lille started fourth on 10 points after three wins and one draw. The defeat leaves them on 10 points, with their unbeaten record gone; the supplied standings do not confirm their new positions.