OGC Nice bowed to Benfica Lisbon in the return match of the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League, granting a 0-2 defeat and thus ending its qualifying hopes for the competition. After having suffered an initial defeat at the Allianz Riviera (0-2), the team of Franck Haise had a Herculean challenge to meet in Lisbon, requiring a two-goal gap to validate his passage in the dam. Deprived of several key players, the Nice team nevertheless showed a willingness to react from the first minutes, with an opportunity in three minutes. However, the Benfica gradually took control of the game, opening the score at the 18th minute and doubling the advantage in the 28th minute, sealing its own ticket to the dams.

Despite the unfavorable score, the OGC Nice continued to fight, with some frank occasions, including a kick at the post of Jonathan Claus. However, the lack of precision and realism in the finishing phase prevented the Niçois from returning to the game. Benfica, well organized and superior to its opponent, maintained constant pressure throughout the match, even though it was led to the score. The efforts of the Frank Haise team, although commendable, were not enough to reverse the trend, and the fate of the double confrontation was already sealed from the beginning of the second act.

This defeat means that the GOC Nice will be demoted to the Europa League for the second consecutive year. The team will now have to focus on the French championship, with the first game of the first day taking place this weekend at home against Toulouse. It will take a significant improvement in performance to hope to stand out in the Europa League. The team must turn the page and prepare quickly for the recovery of the League 1, with a crucial home game to start the 2025/26 season.