Wahi nets dramatic leveller for Nice in setback for Marseille's Champions League push

Following their joy at reaching the Coupe de France final, Nice swiftly shifted attention to their Ligue 1 relegation battle.

Considering their position near the bottom, it came as no surprise that Claude Puel's team opted for a cautious strategy, while their opponents, hungry for Europe, came close early on when Arthur Vermeeren's effort at the back post prompted Yehvann Diouf to push the ball clear.

The Nice goalkeeper had to be sharp once more nearing the half-hour, tipping away Leonardo Balerdi's effort from a corner on his 150th top-flight outing.

Marseille kept up the assault right after the break, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nodding astray from a prime chance, soon after Tochukwu Nnadi saw his shot halted by Juma Bah's timely intervention.

As the home side pressed on, Wahi and Mohamed-Ali Cho highlighted Nice's counter threat, compelling Geronimo Rulli to make a pair of fine saves in short order.

Amid growing tension at the Stade Velodrome, relief swept through the crowd as Marseille took the lead via an unexpected hero, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who nodded home powerfully to beat Diouf from Nnadi's teasing delivery.

The Danish midfielder's first league strike in months led Puel to introduce Kail Boudache, who squandered a golden opportunity moments later, heading wide with the goal empty after Rulli's loose pass.

Luckily for Boudache, Nice earned a penalty soon after when Tadjidine Mmadi fouled ex-Marseille player Jonathan Clauss, and Wahi coolly chipped it down the middle with a cheeky Panenka to earn a vital point, lifting his team five clear of the drop zone.

Meanwhile, Habib Beye's squad now trails the top four by four points, facing a tough road to Champions League spots.