Elye Wahi struck from the penalty spot deep into the game to rescue a 1-1 draw for Nice against Marseille in a tense Ligue 1 derby, extending the hosts’ winless run to four matches in five (D1, L3).
Fresh from their Coupe de France final qualification, Nice were forced straight back into survival mode, and they approached the contest cautiously against a Marseille side chasing European qualification.
The home team started on the front foot, with Arthur Vermeeren going close early on as his looping header drew a sharp save from Yehvann Diouf.
The Nice goalkeeper remained busy in the first half, producing another key intervention to deny Leonardo Balerdi on what was his 150th Ligue 1 appearance.
After the restart, Marseille intensified their pressure. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandered a clear header, while Tochukwu Nnadi was later denied by a crucial block from Juma Bah as the visitors struggled to convert their dominance.
Nice, however, remained dangerous on the counter. Wahi and Mohamed-Ali Cho both tested Geronimo Rulli, forcing the Marseille keeper into quick successive saves as the game opened up.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Marseille through Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who met Nnadi’s delivery with a diving header to break the deadlock and score his first league goal since November.
Nice nearly responded immediately when substitute Kail Boudache missed a gilt-edged chance, heading wide with the goal unguarded after a mistake from Rulli.
Their persistence was eventually rewarded when Tadjidine Mmadi was brought down in the box by Jonathan Clauss.
Wahi stepped up and coolly produced a Panenka-style penalty to level the scores and secure a valuable point for Nice.
The draw leaves Marseille four points outside the top four in their push for Champions League qualification, while Nice move five points clear of the relegation danger zone.
