On Gala Evening at La Beaujoire for FC Nantes, the Nantaises show they have ambitions from the start. Julie Swierot’s pass in the first minute sets up Julie Rabanne to take a shot on the right side. Parisian goalkeeper Mary Earps is in position to block the attempt. The Canaries keep the Parisians under pressure at the beginning of the match, not allowing them out of their own half.
In the 13th minute, Nantes have another chance. After an interception in the center circle, Lucie Calba pushes forward and finds Louise Fleury with a deep pass, but Earps denies the former Paris FC player once again.
The tide turns after the first quarter of an hour. Tara Elimbi Gilbert is sent through on the left by Olga Carmona (16th). She dribbles into the box and sets up Vitoria Yaya for a shot, which is saved by Emily Burns. Burns is then tested by a Leuchter header (17th) and an Echegini shot (20th). Nantes hold on but suffer a setback.
Two minutes later, the referee awards a penalty to PSG after a slight handball by Nelly Rodrigues in the box. Burns guesses correctly, but Romee Leuchter nets the ball. Following the goal, PSG mounts several attacks while Nantes seek to regain confidence.
Nantes prove to be the more dangerous team before halftime. Imane Saoud’s shot, assisted by Louise Fleury (28th), is deflected for a corner, while Maureen Cosson’s attempt (29th) forces Earps into action.
Pushing into PSG’s territory again, Nantes create openings. Sakina Karchaoui misses a one-on-one opportunity with Burns after a 50-meter sprint (30th).
Nantes press just before halftime. Julie Rabanne’s shot following a good press is saved by the Parisian keeper (38th). Maureen Cosson’s header from the resulting corner is caught by the English keeper. Immediately after, Mariam Toloba’s lobbed header from the captain’s cross narrowly misses the target.
Trailing, Nantes had more chances in a first half full of action.
The Nantaises fought until the end
In a cruel turn at the 49th minute, Sakina Karchaoui scores for PSG with a sublime curling shot on the right, beating Burns. PSG doubles their lead.
Undeterred, Nantes attack. Calba’s shot is saved by Earps (57th), while De Almeida’s attempt is also stopped by the goalkeeper on the counterattack.
Nantes continue to attack. At the 69th minute, Léa Khelifi sets up Mariam Toloba in the penalty area, but Earps saves her effort.
Nantes come close to conceding a third goal at the 78th minute. Burns makes a magnificent save from Vitoria Yaya’s shot.
The final minutes belong to Nantes, but they struggle to break through PSG’s solid defense and fail to convert chances like Cosson’s shot (84th) and Van de Ven’s attempt a minute later.
In the dying moments, after a well-worked move by Juliette Mossard, Van de Ven crosses to Khelifi at the penalty spot, who diverts the ball into the net, bringing hope alive for the last minute of play. Not enough to secure a draw, but Nantes have shown a fighting spirit for the full 90 minutes. Now in 4th place, Nicolas Chabot’s team must secure their spot in the playoffs in the upcoming matches.
