NICE, France — In a gripping showdown on Friday evening, Auxerre managed to steal a point against Nice in Ligue 1, largely thanks to the efforts of its substitutes Florian Ayé and Ado Onaiwu, who combined their skills in stoppage time to conclude the match at 1-1.
Nice initially took the lead after Evann Guessand found the net with a powerful header in the 37th minute, and the team held strong control over the game for the majority of the match time. However, just when Nice seemed poised to maintain their lead, defender Melvin Bard’s reckless foul earned him a red card, providing Auxerre with a much-needed opportunity. This numerical advantage on the field was timely, as Auxerre aimed to achieve its historic 500th win in the league.
The crucial moment for Auxerre arrived in the fourth minute of added time. Onaiwu orchestrated the attack with a precise pass to Ayé, who then successfully found the back of the net, ensuring his team a vital point from the encounter.
Nice, on the other hand, was left reflecting on its missed opportunity to reclaim its winning form. The previous week, they endured a 2-0 defeat at home to Lyon, which halted their four-match winning streak. As it stands, Franck Haise’s squad maintains its position in the league’s third place, trailing by two points behind Marseille.
Auxerre’s position saw them placed 11th in the standings, but the draw certainly felt like a victory of sorts as they press forward in their league campaign.
