Nice delivered a historic 8-0 victory over Saint-Étienne in Ligue 1, becoming the first team in the 21st century to score six goals in the first half of a French league match. Goals from Sanabria, Ndombele, Moukoko, Guessand, Diop, and Rosario, alongside an own goal by Batubinsika, sealed the dominant win.
Nice delivered a stunning 8-0 thrashing of Saint-Étienne this Friday in one of the most remarkable matches in recent Ligue 1 history.
The victory not only set a new record but also solidified Nice's position in the top half of the table, making them the first team in the 21st century to score at least six goals in the first half of a French league game.
The match, which opened the fifth round of Ligue 1, was a dominant display by Nice from the very start. The tone was set early when Saint-Étienne’s Batubinsika inadvertently scored an own goal in just the 4th minute, gifting Nice the lead. That mistake would be a sign of things to come, as the floodgates opened soon after. Tanguy Ndombele doubled the advantage in the 7th minute with a composed finish, and just as Saint-Étienne seemed to be reeling from that blow, Nice struck again.
Young forward Cho found the back of the net in the 24th minute, followed quickly by two strikes from Youssoufa Moukoko, the talented German prodigy who added goals in the 26th and 39th minutes. In between those two Moukoko goals, Evann Guessand also got on the scoresheet in the 36th minute, capping off a relentless first-half performance that saw Nice enter the break with a stunning 6-0 lead. By halftime, the Allianz Riviera was rocking, while the visitors were left shell-shocked, and the Saint-Étienne fans in the stands were already heading for the exits.
The second half didn’t offer much respite for Saint-Étienne. With no visiting fans left in their designated section, Nice continued to push forward, looking to increase their lead. The seventh goal came courtesy of Sofiane Diop in the 75th minute, a tidy finish that further demoralized the Saint-Étienne defense. As the clock ticked toward full-time, Nice were awarded a penalty, and Dutch midfielder Pablo Rosario stepped up to convert from the spot in the 86th minute, putting the finishing touch on the historic 8-0 rout.
This win marks a significant statement for Nice, who have struggled with consistency in recent seasons but are now looking to challenge for European places. Under the guidance of their manager, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, but this match could be the turning point in their campaign. With their new-look squad, which includes standout players like Moukoko and Ndombele, Nice demonstrated their attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on defensive weaknesses.
For Saint-Étienne, the match represents one of the lowest points in their recent history. The club, which has a storied past in French football, finds itself languishing near the bottom of the table, sitting in 16th place with just three points after five games. Their defensive frailties were on full display, and manager Laurent Batlles will be under pressure to find a solution before the team slips further into a relegation battle. The early own goal from Batubinsika and Dawidowicz's error leading to the penalty encapsulated the disarray in their backline, as Saint-Étienne continues to search for form and stability.
As a result of the emphatic victory, Nice climbs to fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings with seven points. While they have temporarily boosted their ranking, the team will look to build on this momentum and string together a series of strong performances. The goals from their young stars, like Moukoko, as well as solid performances from more experienced players, are promising signs for the future.
Saint-Étienne, on the other hand, must regroup quickly. They face mounting pressure to avoid becoming further entrenched in the bottom half of the table, as their season continues to unfold in a troubling fashion. The heavy defeat will undoubtedly raise questions about the team’s mentality and tactical approach, and changes may be on the horizon if they hope to turn things around.
For Nice, the night will be remembered as a record-breaking triumph. The team's dominance and ability to close out the game in such spectacular fashion sent a clear message to the rest of the league. The challenge now is whether they can maintain this level of performance moving forward in what promises to be a highly competitive season in Ligue 1.
