Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima was the hero for Stade Brest as they overcame Nantes in the Coupe de France Round of 16. Despite a spirited effort from Guirassy, Brest held their ground for a 2-1 victory to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
The night began with a moment of brilliance from Sima in the 24th minute. Receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Brendan Chardonnet, Sima showcased his skill by surging into the box, weaving past his marker, and coolly slotting the ball beyond the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper. The opener electrified the Brest supporters and set the tone for the evening.
Chardonnet, who had assisted the opener, doubled Brest’s lead ten minutes later. Rising high in the box during a set piece, he connected with a well-delivered corner kick to powerfully head the ball into the net, making it 2-0. The goal underlined Brest’s dominance and left Nantes struggling to regain their footing.
However, Nantes, led by their star forward B. Guirassy, refused to go down without a fight. In the 83rd minute, Guirassy reignited their hopes with a stunning solo effort. Dribbling past two defenders with impressive finesse, he unleashed a low, driven shot into the bottom right corner of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Despite the late surge from Nantes, Brest held firm in the final minutes to preserve their lead. The defensive resilience and standout performances from Sima and Chardonnet ensured their victory, sending Nantes crashing out of the competition.
As Brest celebrated their hard-fought triumph, Sima’s dazzling display left fans and pundits alike singing his praises, cementing his status as a rising star in French football.
