Football/Ligue 1: Nantes-Strasbourg (2-1)
Despite scoring in stoppage time, Strasbourg waited too long to get back into the game. Nantes dominated throughout the match and won logically thanks to a twirling Moses Simon, who was present for the two decisive actions. Matz Sels avoided what could have been a heavier scoreline for Strasbourg.
The first half-hour was virtually one-way traffic towards Matz Sels’ goal. The Belgian keeper was impeccable in front of Florent Mollet (7th after a huge situation created by Mathis Abline, then 9th), on a lovely scissor kick from Jean-Charles Castelletto (15th), or in the air with Moses Simon (24th). The home side finished the first half better, with Marvin Senaya and Lebo Mothiba getting on the scoresheet for the first time in the 38th minute.
With Douglas Augusto forced off through injury (45th+1st), and with the balance of play clearly shifting, the Canaries finally managed to break the deadlock after a festival of play from Simon, a poor clearance from Gerzino Nyamsi and a close-range shot from Marcus Coco (0-1, 50th).
Stunned, Racing continued to suffer and quickly conceded the breakthrough goal after a four-cushion billiards move involving Simon, Mollet, Quentin Merlin and finally Samuel Moutoussamy (0-2, 58th). Ângelo Gabriel was ready to hit back but failed to curl the ball home (61st) and it was not until added time that Patrick Vieira’s men reduced the deficit through Sahi Dion, who was on the lookout after some superb work from Habib Diarra (1-2, 90th+2). It was too late a wake-up call to earn a point.
And the Racingmen were treated to whistles from the Meinau.
