PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 0-2 Nice: Elye Wahi double sends Les Aiglons to the Coupe de France final | OneFootball

Coupe de France Crédit Agricole, Semi-finals, 22/04/26

OGC Nice have qualified for the Coupe de France final in frustrating Gary O’Neil’s Alsatians on their home turf. Elye Wahi scored a brace for Claude Puel’s side in the second half.

The Match

Six days after hitting Mainz for four in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, Strasbourg returned to midweek action at La Meinau with a Coupe de France final at stake against a Nice side that is yet to secure his Ligue 1 status beyond this season.

Claude Puel’s 5-4-1 set-up with Strasbourg in possession greatly hindered the hosts’ ability to link up play. The hosts’ most serious goalscoring opportunities flowed from Nice’s defensive mistakes. After a mix-up between Maxime Dupé and Peprah Oppong, Antoine Mendy stuck a foot to prevent Julio Enciso from scoring, the rebound fell to Martial Godo… who inexplicably went with power at close range, and his attempt flew over the crossbar.

Nice remained solid throughout, and Strasbourg did struggle to contain Elye Wahi’s pace on the counter. However, for all their sturdiness at the back, Les Aiglons were toothless going forward, registering only one shot – way out of target – in the first half.

Fortunately for Nice, their first shot on target hit home. A couple of minutes after a miss from Julio Enciso, Les Aiglons dispossessed Ben Chilwell on the right flank. Jonathan Clauss drove forward and picked Wahi’s run with an outside-of-the-boot through ball. The Eintracht Frankfurt loanee kept his cool to find Mike Penders’ bottom corner.

Nice’s opener against the run of play looked to have stunned the hosts. As for Nice, Claude Puel’s gamble to rely on counter-attacks paid off handsomely. Gary O’Neil brought solutions off the bench, and Strasbourg laid a siege on Maxime Dupé’s goal. But the night was Nice’s, as shown by Dupé’s stunning save to keep out Julio Enciso’s header.

Within the last ten minutes, substitute Mohamed Ali-Cho was fouled by Ismaël Doukouré in Strasbourg’s penalty box. Wahi stepped up and doubled his side’s lead.

Nice held on to frustrate Strasbourg, who could still win a trophy this season as they’ll play the UEFA Conference League semi-finals against Rayo Vallecano. As for Nice, who will face Marseille on Sunday, their awful domestic campaign could still end up with silverware, and European qualification.

Strasbourg player ratings

Mike Penders – 4

Ben Chilwell – 4

Ismaël Doukouré – 4

Andrew Omobamidele – 3

The Ireland international had a hard time in dealing with Wahi tonight. Booked for a cynical foul on the Ivory Coast international at the hour mark, he played him onside when he raced to goal. 

Abdoul Ouattara – 4

Samir El Mourabet – 4

Maxi Oyedele – 4

Diego Moreira – 6

The Belgium international has always tried to add some urgency and pace at every touch. In the absence of Valentin Barco, he provided the creative spark that Strasbourg craved, but it was not enough.

Julio Enciso – 4

Martial Godo – 3

Emanuel Emegha – 4

The future Chelsea FC player was well handled by both of Nice centre-backs. Unlucky not to have been awarded a free-kick – or a penalty – when Juma Bah pulled his shirt in the second half, but the Netherlands international has scarcely made a difference.

Selected Nice player ratings

Jonathan Clauss – 7

Elye Wahi – 8

The Eintracht Frankfurt loanee was indisputably the main man of the night with a neat double to send Nice to the Coupe de France final. To his credit, his defensive output was commendable too.

Hicham Boudaoui – 7

GFFN | Bastien Cheval