Moses Simon’s spectacular late goal powered Nantes to a crucial 1-0 victory over Rennes on Sunday, snapping a gruelling three-month winless run in Ligue 1.
The Super Eagles winger delivered a moment of magic, a wonder strike at the Stade de la Beaujoire—Louis Fonteneau—to seal a vital win for the Canaries on matchday 14, Footballrover reports.
Simon’s brilliance shines through
Nantes last celebrated a league victory in August, a 3-1 triumph over Montpellier.
Since then, they had suffered a frustrating 10-game winless stretch, including six losses and four draws.
However, Simon rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
In the 89th minute, the Nigerian forward received the ball on the left flank, dazzled with sublime footwork to evade two defenders, and unleashed a curling shot into the far top corner, leaving the Rennes goalkeeper rooted.
The goal, Simon’s fourth of the season, also marked his eighth goal contribution (four goals and four assists) in 13 Ligue 1 appearances this term.
VAR drama and disciplinary setbacks
The game wasn’t without drama. Rennes thought they had salvaged a point in the dying moments when they found the net in the 95th minute.
But then, VAR intervened to disallow the equaliser, much to the relief of the home fans.
Adding to Rennes’ woes, defender Mikayil Faye received a straight red card during first-half stoppage time, leaving the visitors a man down.
Tensions boiled over in the final minutes as Rennes’ head coach, Jorge Sampaoli, was also sent off in the 97th minute.
Relegation battle takes a turn
The victory propelled Les Canaris out of the relegation zone, lifting them to 13th place with 14 points, level with Rennes in 12th.
It marked a significant boost for the Canaries as they prepare to visit Brest in their next Ligue 1 fixture on Sunday.
Moses Simon’s standout performance not only ended Nantes’ winless streak but also injected much-needed momentum into their campaign.
With his brilliance and the team’s renewed determination, Nantes fans will hope this victory sparks a turnaround for the remainder of the season.
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