FC Nantes 3-0 Girondins de Bordeaux

THE MATCH

Nantes came into this one in the relegation play-off place, with points as much as Derby de l'Atlantique bragging right to play for, and they started brightly at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Kolo had a fine chance to make it 1-0 early on but Loris Benito raced back to take the ball of his toe at the last (7'). Les Canaris didn't have to wait long to take the lead, though. Ludovic Blas burst forward down the right wing before cutting back and crossing with his left foot, and Coulibaly was on hand to head home his second goal in as many games (19'). Kolo might have sent Nantes further clear soon after, but his header from a Moses Simon cross was off target (25'). Bordeaux's high defensive line looked prone throughout, and Mexer was given a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Kolo (31'). Bordeaux rallied towards the end of the half. Enock Kwateng sent an overhead kick wide (35') before Alban Lafont raced off his line to deny Hwang Ui-jo (38'), and Youssouf Sabaly then sent a gilt-edge chance wide (45'), but Benoît Millot's whistle for half-time went with Nantes in the lead.

Nantes make sure

There were few such scares for Nantes in the second half, the host pulling further clear soon after the restart when Louza stepped up to convert a penalty which Kolo had won from Benito (51'). Bordeaux should have done better when Hwang got free in the final third just past the hour, but the South Korean's cross found a Nantes head and the chance went begging (64'). Benito was then lucky to stay on the field, Millot electing against giving the Switzerland defender a second yellow card after another foul on the effervescent Kolo (66'). Nantes put the game to bed minutes later, even without what might have been a justified numerical advantage. Simon put the jets on to get past his man and cut back for Kolo, who thrashed his sixth goal of the season beyond a helpless Benoît Costil (70') Dennis Appiah hit the bar late on (87') and it ended 3-0.

THE PLAYER: Kalifa Coulibaly

This has been a difficult season for Coulibaly, the big Mali striker never fully enjoying the trust of Antoine Kombouaré's predecessor Christian Gourcuff. He has been one of the first names on the new coach's teamsheet since he took the reins in February, though, and his recent goalscoring glut could yet see Nantes to safety.

THE STAT: 11

Coulibaly's opener was the 11th headed goal Bordeaux have conceded this season. Only relegated Dijon FCO have had more scored against them in this manner in 2020-21.