Nantes edge closer to safety with last-gasp win over Le Havr

Les Canaris kicked-off the match on the front foot, with Mustafa Mohamed particularly causing issues early with his pace in-behind the HAC backline. Mohamed had a great chance, breaking through the middle and sent through on goal – yet the Egyptian international’s square ball to Abline was intercepted.

Sabbi was released into the box and looked as if he beat Lafont with a deft chip, but it fell the wrong side of the post. Les Canaris reacted instantly, as Mathis Abline struck from range with a driven shot that had to be palmed away carefully by Desmas. The pattern of flurried attacks from the away side continued, as Mollet forced Desmas into another save which was almost turned into the net on the rebound. 

By half time the away side would be happier, having grown forcibly into the game with more chances, possession and danger. Yet Le Havre manager Luka Elsner’s team talk must’ve had some role in the Marine et Ciel’s quick start in the second period, threatening through Ayew, Sabbi, and substitute Josué Casimir. Despite Mohamed still providing a threat in-behind, Nantes became much more subdued.

Yet, Les Canaris would get a golden chance to open the scoring on the 66th minute, as Abline was played through one-on-one with Desmas on the counter-attack – but his effort was saved and bounced excruciatingly just wide of the post. Le Havre would keep pushing, as André Ayew cut inside and his shot just dragged wide.

The Late, Late show at Stade Océane

As the match drew into its final quarter, an error from Lafont would see Sabbi cross to Ayew, but his shot into the open net was cleared off the line from the dependable Nicolas Pallois. Then came the chance for Mohamed Bayo to turn in a magnificent low ball from Loïc Nego, but he was denied brilliantly by Pallois.

It would be a miss that the home side would regret, as Nantes piled on the pressure in injury time. Douglas Augusto almost found the back of the net from a corner – but the eventual winner would come in a more emphatic fashion. Substitute Kader Bamba had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, but the Frenchman picked up the ball halfway into the opposing half, drove past three Nantes players and struck a low driven shot past Desmas to send the rambunctious Nantes away fans into a frenzy. 

It was Antoine Kombouaré’s second win for FC Nantes since taking over the side with the mission of keeping the club up in the French elite. For Le Havre, it comes as a huge missed opportunity for Luka Elsner’s side who linger closer to Lorient in the relegation play-off spot.