“Yaya Fofana finally breaks the deadlock after Reims' third blocked attempt of the sequence, finishing from Sambou Soumano's assist.”
Pivotal“Chamsedin Kouranfal doubles Reims' lead from a corner, capping a spell of sustained pressure that had already forced a save.”
Pivotal“Nordine Kandil, on as a substitute, pulls a goal back for Nancy to set up a nervy finish as the hosts chase the equalizer.”
Nancy
Reims
Outstanding performance
Reims•DefenderNancy dominated the ball and the territory - 59% possession, 20 shots to Reims' 9, and a staggering 79 dangerous attacks to 30 - but it was Reims who made their limited opportunities count. Yaya Fofana opened the scoring in the 29th minute after a string of blocked efforts finally found a way through, and Chamsedin Kouranfal doubled the lead nine minutes later from a corner following another saved effort. Nancy pushed hard for a way back, rotating five substitutes after the hour mark and Nordine Kandil pulled one back in the 78th minute, but the equalizer never arrived despite four big chances missed by the hosts. The result leaves Reims celebrating a smash-and-grab win built on clinical finishing, while Nancy will rue their wastefulness in front of goal despite comfortably outplaying their opponents for long stretches.
How entertaining was this match?
Zakaria Fdaouch comes on for Adrian Dabasse.
Nordine Kandil replaces Chafik El Hansar.
Corner awarded.
Yaya Fofana receives a yellow card.
El Hadary Raheriniaina takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Nehemiah Fernandez takes a header but misses the shot.
Chafik El Hansar takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Walid Bouabdelli takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Kouroufia Kebe takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Shot from Chamsedin Kouranfal with his right foot finds the back of the net.
First half ends with a score of 0-2.
assist: Armel Zohouri
Goal! Chamsedin Kouranfal scores, making it 2-0, assisted by Armel Junior Zohouri.
El Hadary Raheriniaina takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
El Hadary Raheriniaina takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Walid Bouabdelli attempts a header but misses the shot.
Yaya FofanaShot by Yaya Fofana with his right foot results in a goal.
Armel Junior Zohouri takes a right-footed shot but misses.
assist: Sambou Soumano
Goal! Yaya Fofana scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Sambou Soumano.
El Hadary Raheriniaina takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jean Mambuku takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Yaya Fofana takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Substitution: Jean Mambuku comes on for Ange Tia.
Adrian Dabasse takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Ilyes Housni takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ilyes Housni takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yellow card issued to Chamsedin Kouranfal.
Sambou Soumano takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Shot by Mohammed Daramy with his right foot is saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Benoit Millot.
Nancy welcome an unbeaten Reims side to Stade Marcel-Picot as both clubs chase the pace set by early Ligue 2 leaders Saint-Étienne. Reims arrive as favorites off the back of a solid defensive run, while Nancy look to bounce back from a recent loss at Nantes in front of their home crowd.
