# Clermont Beats Nantes in Thrilling Finish to Avoid Ligue 1 Relegation

In a nail-biting final match of the Ligue 1 season, Clermont Foot 63 secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nantes, clinching their place in the top flight for another season and avoiding relegation in the most thrilling of finishes.

The match, held at Stade Raymond Domenech in Clermont-Ferrand, was a rollercoaster affair from the very first whistle. Both teams came out all guns blazing, but it was Clermont who took control early on. A well-timed strike from Lucas Veron in the 15th minute gave the home side the lead, and they dominated possession throughout the first half.

However, Nantes, who were pushing for a Champions League spot, refused to back down. Star striker Khéphren Thuram, who had been instrumental in their recent surge, equalized just before halftime with a clinical finish. The game was on a knife’s edge as the second half got underway.

In the 68th minute, the tension reached boiling point. A foul in the box by Nantes’ defender Lamine Sané resulted in a penalty for Clermont. Captain Saîdou Cissé stepped up and converted the spot-kick to put his side ahead once again. This time, though, Clermont’s lead proved to be the decisive one. Despite a late surge from Nantes, including a series of clear chances, Clermont held firm and secured the points.

The final scoreline read 2-1 in favor of Clermont, who celebrated wildly as the full-time whistle blew. The result, coupled with their earlier wins, ensured they finished 14th in the table, safe from relegation.

For Nantes, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially with the season they had. Thuram and Co. had been looking like Champions League contenders, but their late-season slip-up proved costly. They now face a relegation battle in the coming weeks, with three games remaining.

Clermont, meanwhile, can look back on the season with pride. Manager Pascal Gallice has done an incredible job to keep the club at this level, and the players deserve credit for their resilience and determination.

As the players and fans celebrated, one thing was clear: this match will be remembered for a long time in Ligue 1 history. It was a game of drama, skill, and emotion that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Clermont may have avoided relegation, but the fight for survival never gets easier in French football. For now, though, the fans of Clermont can enjoy the satisfaction of another season in the top league, knowing they played their part in this thrilling chapter.