Nice 6–0 Brest Player Ratings: Nice Crush Brest in a One-Sided Affair in Ligue 1

The final matchweek of the Ligue 1 unfolds excitingly as the race to secure a continental spot is alive for as many as seven teams so far. After playing their trade in the Europa League this season, Nice have a golden opportunity to redeem themselves and secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers next season.

Things could not have been more dramatic, as three teams were levelled at 57 points before the game, from the fourth to the sixth spot. The team finishing fourth makes it to the UCL qualifiers, the fifth-ranked team will feature in the Europa League group stage, whereas the sixth-placed team will have to make peace with just a Conference League qualifier spot.

As things stand before the final matchweek begins, Nice, Strasbourg, and Lille are level on 57 points, but a mere goal difference separates the three sides. Lyon, sitting in the seventh spot, would also make it to 57 points if they win their final game against Angers. With all combinations possible, the Allianz Riviera hosted an electrifying encounter between Nice and Nantes.

The home side were the best-placed side among all teams levelled on the same points. All they required was a win to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers unless Strasbourg or Lille wins their game with a mammoth goal difference.

The match began excitingly as the two teams came out of the tunnel for one last time in this domestic season. The home fans came in large numbers to cheer their team. A UCL qualifier spot was at stake for Nice, whereas Brest had the opportunity to spoil Nice's celebrations.

The home team showed intent from the first minute, pushing harder to break the deadlock in the first few minutes. The constant pressure in the opposition half paid off beautifully for the home side, as they scored the first goal of the match in almost a quarter of an hour. Evan Guessand's right-footed shot found the bottom right corner, and Nice are ahead in this game in the 16th minute. Hicham Boudaoui with the assist.

Gaetan Laborde wasted no time in doubling the home side's lead in less than 3 minutes. Evan Guessand's assist and Laborde's easy finish saw Nice leading Brest by 2-0 in the 19th minute.

The frustrations were visible in the away side's players as they kept losing possession. To make things even worse, Bradley Locko fouled Jonathan Clauss in the D Box. The referee straight away showed Locko the yellow card and pointed towards the penalty spot. Badredine Bouanani found his name in the scoresheet after converting the penalty.

Nice were three goals ahead in the first half. The referee blew his whistle, and the home fans were in celebratory mood as their team were just 45 minutes away from making it to the UCL Qualifiers. Nice continued their dominance in the second half as well. The cross from Melvin Bard was beautifully converted into a goal by Laborde, who scored his second goal of the game in the 75th minute. When it felt, it could not be more humiliating for the away side, Nice scored their fifth in the 82nd minute after the newly subbed on Moffi scored a goal.

To add more salt to the wounds, Nice scored the sixth goal after Abdi found the back of the net in the 94th minute. The match ended in a one-sided manner after Nice defeated Brest by a score of 6-0.

Here are the Nice vs Brest Player Ratings.

Nice Player Ratings vs Brest

GK - Marcin Bulka - 8

The Polish goalkeeper was tasked with the responsibility of securing a clean sheet, and he did not disappoint. He had a fairly easy shift between the sticks tonight as Brest failed to make any real threats.

RB - Antoine Mendy - 7.5

The 20-year-old put up a stellar performance tonight. He caused havoc from the right flank of the pitch and made those brilliant overlapping runs for his strikers.

CB - Moise Bombito - 7.5

The Canadian centre back stood strongly to allow strikers to get past him. He was a rock-solid presence tonight and played a crucial role in securing a clean sheet for the home team.

LB - Dante - 7

The veteran Brazilian left-back made full use of his experience. His combination play with left winger Bard was commendable and helped the left winger to exploit the defensive vulnerabilities of the away side.

RM - Jonathan Clauss - 7.5

The French midfielder played a crucial role in earning a penalty for Nice after getting fouled. Apart from that, he had a decent shift tonight and also exerted his dominance on the right flank.

CM - H Boudaoui - 8.5

The Algerian midfielder was one of the finest players in the middle of the park. Not only did he make an assist, but he also completely controlled the tempo of the game. He was a live wire for Nice tonight.

CM - Baptiste Santamaria - 7

The 30-year-old French midfielder also had a fair shift tonight. He could have done more with the kind of creativity he possesses, but it was more than enough, given Nice's performance tonight.

LM - Melvin Bard - 7.5

Melvin Bard did everything right tonight. From helping the team to press forward during transition play to even contributing an assist, Bard was a cornerstone player tonight.

AM - Badredine Bouanani - 9

The Algerian international scored the penalty tonight and was also responsible for the attacking havoc inflicted upon by the home side.

AM - Evann Guessand - 9

From breaking the deadlock to even providing an assist to the second goal, Guessand was in sublime form tonight and helped Nice secure a place in the UCL Qualifiers.

ST - Gaetan Laborde - 9.5

No wonder the best player in the match tonight was Laborde. He scored a brace tonight and was unlucky not to get his hattrick after a mindblowing campaign tonight.

SUB - Sofiane Diopp - 7.5

SUB - Tom Louchet - 6.5

SUB - Terem Moffi - NA

SUB - Morgan Sanson - NA

Manager - Franck Haise - 8.5

The gaffer did not opt to retreat defensively and went with his favourite 3-4-2-1 formation. His tactics paid off as Nice went on to win the match by 6-0 and also secured a spot in the UCL Qualifiers.

Brest Player Ratings vs Nice

GK - Marco Bizot - 6

It was nothing less than a nightmare for Bizot as the away side conceded six goals tonight. He had a humiliating experience tonight playing between the sticks for Brest.

RB - Kenny Lala - 5

Lala was completely inefficient in intercepting the threats from Bard and Guessand made full use of the exposed right flank to constantly mount pressure on the away side.

CB - Edimilson Fernandes - 6.5

The centre back looked off colour tonight and was outplayed by the attacking trio of Nice. He had one of the worst performances of the domestic season.

CB - Abdoulaye Ndiaye - 6

The Senegalese youngster failed to make any possible contribution in the defence tonight and had a disastrous game against Nice.

LB - Bradley Locko - 5

From giving away a penalty after an untimely challenge on Jonathan Clauss to failing to block attempts, everything went wrong for Locko tonight, and he was one of the worst players on the pitch.

DM - Lees-Melou - 5.5

He was tasked with the responsibility of contributing defensively and dominating the midfield. But he failed badly as the midfield was left exposed to the home team.

CM - Mohamed Camara - 6

Camara looked clueless throughout the match and failed to even make any attacking moves. He had a terrible game tonight.

CM - Hugo Magnetti - 5

He was booked by the referee and had no answers to Nice's attackers. Magnetti was also responsible for giving away easy fouls and set-piece opportunities to Nice.

AM - Kamory Doumbia - 6

Doumbia should have tried to help his side get back into the game, but he failed to connect the balls properly or even make any real attacking threat into the D Box.

CF - M Pereira Lage - 5.5

It seemed that the Brest strikers had no intentions to mount a comeback in the game. He looked off colour and just had 1 shot tonight against Nice.

CF - Ludovic Ajorque - 5

Ajorque's shots were not even close to goals, and he did not seem to make any contribution for the team offensively apart from his shots off the target

SUB - Del Castillo - 6

SUB - Abdallah Sima - 5.5

SUB - Massadio Haidara - NA

SUB - Mama Balde - NA

Manager - Eric Roy - 5

Roy looked clueless in the game. His substitutions were also of no use, and even in the second half, his tactics failed to avoid a humiliating defeat against Nice.

The SportsDunia player of the match goes to Gaetan Laborde.