Nantes ended their five-match winless run in style as Matthis Abline’s stunning long-range volley sealed a 2-1 victory over Paris FC on Friday, halting what had been their worst league start in more than ten years.
It was the first Ligue 1 encounter between the sides since the 1978–79 campaign, and Nantes wasted no time making an impact, Youssel El Arabi fired home from outside the box barely two minutes in.
Paris thought they had an instant response, but their equaliser was ruled out after a VAR review.
The hosts eventually levelled matters in the 15th minute when Samir Chergui redirected Pierre Lees-Melou’s mis-hit volley past the goalkeeper from close range.
Seven minutes before the break, Nantes restored their lead in spectacular fashion. A poor defensive clearance dropped invitingly for Abline, who took one touch before unleashing a looping volley from 25 metres that found the top corner, his first goal of the season.
The defeat marked Paris FC’s second straight 2-1 loss, a sharp contrast to their earlier purple patch of 10 points from five matches.
They remain 11th in the Ligue 1 table with 10 points from nine games, while Nantes climbed to 13th with nine points.
