Key Highlights
Elye Wahi produced a devastating display as Nice beat Rennes by five goals to two at the Allianz Riviera. A hat trick from the striker, crowned with the match's best rating, turned what might have been a tight contest into a one-sided evening and left the home crowd with little doubt about the outcome.
First Half
The opening forty five minutes were active and competitive, but with Nice carving the clearer openings. Nice began in a three four two one shape and were marginally superior in expected goals and in pass accuracy through the middle of the pitch, while Rennes countered with a number of big chances of their own. Elye Wahi gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot, Sebastian Szymański headed Rennes level soon after, and Wahi restored the advantage with a second penalty before Jonathan Clauss extended Nice's cushion in added time. At the interval Nice led by three goals to one.
Second Half
Rennes seized more of the ball after the break and pressed for a route back into the game, bringing on two substitutes at half time to change the tempo. Nice, however, struck early in the second period when Mohamed Amoura finished a move set up by Sofiane Diop, and although Boulaye Dia reduced the deficit from the penalty spot Rennes could not sustain their momentum. Gauthier Hein, introduced from the bench, provided the pass for Wahi to complete his hat trick and seal the result. Rennes enjoyed their clearest spell late on but it produced no further goals and Nice ran out five goals to two winners.
Closing Thoughts
The victory gives Nice consecutive league wins and a welcome boost to their midtable standing, while Rennes, still among the front-runners, will see this as a stinging reality check before they return home to face Lille. Nice travel to Angers next week with renewed confidence, and Rennes must regroup quickly ahead of their home fixture; the result matters more for momentum than for the arithmetic of the table at this stage.
