Coupe De France Final In Reach As Nice Beat Strasbourg 2-0 With Wahi Brace

Nice moved into the Coupe de France final with a 2-0 victory over Strasbourg, powered by a brace from Elye Wahi. The win booked a first appearance in the showpiece since 2022 and set up a meeting with Lens. Claude Puel, successful three times in this competition as a Monaco player, now has the chance to lift the trophy as a coach.

The result offered relief in a challenging Ligue 1 campaign, where Nice sit only four points above the relegation play-off place. Success at the Stade de France at the end of May would mark their first Coupe de France crown since 1997, while also easing pressure on Puel and the squad after an inconsistent domestic season.

Nice’s last appearance in the final ended in disappointment, as a 47th-minute penalty from Ludovic Blas gave Nantes victory four years ago. Historically, Nice have lifted the Coupe de France three times, but their last success came nearly three decades ago. The only previous tie against Lens in this competition finished 5-0 to the Aiglons in the 1954 round of 32, during a run that ended with the trophy.

Puel will therefore approach the Lens clash knowing history offers some encouragement, even if circumstances differ. That earlier meeting showed Nice’s attacking potential in cup football, while this latest semi-final highlighted discipline and efficiency. After a season where Ligue 1 performances often lacked end product, this controlled knockout display suggested Nice can still manage high-pressure games.

The semi-final itself opened cautiously, with both sides wary of an early mistake. The first major chance fell to Wahi on 13 minutes after a quick exchange with Tom Louchet. Wahi’s close-range prod forced Mike Penders into a fingertip save, with the Strasbourg goalkeeper diverting the ball onto the post to keep the match level.

Strasbourg answered with two huge opportunities of their own after 23 minutes. Diego Moreira cut the ball back for Julio Enciso, whose low strike beat the goalkeeper but not Antoine Mendy, positioned perfectly to clear on the line. The rebound dropped invitingly for Martial Godo, yet the forward sent his effort over the bar from six yards.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Enciso again threatening first. In the 50th minute, Enciso moved into space and dragged a shot narrowly wide of the target. That miss proved costly almost immediately, as Nice broke forward just 70 seconds later and punished the lapse with a ruthless finish from Wahi.

Wahi double sends Nice past Strasbourg in Coupe de France

Wahi’s opener came from a precise through pass by Jonathan Clauss, which split Strasbourg’s defence. The forward raced in behind and struck a firm low drive into the bottom-left corner. That goal shifted the dynamic, forcing Strasbourg to commit more players forward while Nice focused on structure, quick breaks and limiting clear attempts on goal.

As Strasbourg pushed late on, Enciso bent another effort just beyond the far post before Gessime Yassine arrived onto a Moreira cross but fired over the bar. Their pressure left gaps at the back. On 82 minutes, Ismael Doukoure brought down Mohamed-Ali Cho inside the area, with the referee pointing to the spot following a VAR review.

Wahi stepped up for the penalty and calmly converted from 12 yards, sending Penders the wrong way to confirm Nice’s passage. That second goal removed any remaining tension for Puel’s side and highlighted Wahi’s composure under pressure. Strasbourg, despite spells of attacking intent, could not recover from the late setback.

Data debrief from Nice vs Strasbourg Coupe de France tie

The numbers underlined how efficient Nice were compared with Strasbourg’s volume of attempts. Strasbourg finished with 17 shots yet produced an expected goals figure of only 1.25. Nice managed four attempts in total, but their clearer openings carried an xG of 1.64, with Wahi alone accounting for 1.31 of that value through his two decisive strikes.

Nice’s win owed much to that clinical edge, as well as strong defensive positioning at important moments. Strasbourg created enough situations to change the narrative but lacked precision in the penalty area. With a place at the Stade de France secured and a historic meeting with Lens ahead, Nice now stand one match away from ending a long wait for Coupe de France silverware.