# Ligue 1 Round 31: Brest Beat Nantes 2-1

In a thrilling encounter in the French Ligue 1, Brest secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nantes in Round 31. The match, played at Stade Brest, saw both teams fight tirelessly, with Brest ultimately emerging victorious thanks to clinical finishing and tactical discipline.

The first half was dominated by Brest, who took the lead in the 15th minute through a well-taken goal by Terem Moffi. Moffi, who has been in excellent form recently, fired a low shot past Nantes’ goalkeeper Éric Valuy from outside the box. Nantes responded well and almost leveled the score in the 22nd minute when Gaëtan Laborde’s cross was met by Khéphren Thuram, whose powerful header rattled the crossbar. Despite this early pressure, Brest held firm and went into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.

The second half saw Nantes throw everything into the attack to find an equalizer. In the 45th minute, Thuram once again came close, but his effort from close range was saved by Brest’s goalkeeper, Marvin Schonfeld. However, Nantes did manage to equalize in the 63rd minute when Thuram capitalized on a defensive error to slot the ball into the net. This goal sent the away faithful into a frenzy, but Brest responded with renewed determination.

In the 88th minute, Brest was awarded a controversial penalty after a foul by Laborde on Kevin Cassa. Cassa stepped up and converted the spot-kick, securing all three points for his side. Nantes pushed for a late equalizer, but Schonfeld remained a rock in goal, making several vital saves to preserve Brest’s lead.

### Impact on Standings

With this victory, Brest has moved to 13th place in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone. This result brings some much-needed breathing space for Brest, who are now unlikely to face relegation this season. Nantes, on the other hand, remains in a precarious position, sitting 18th and just one point above the drop zone. The Bees will need to dig deep in their remaining matches to avoid slipping into Ligue 2.

### Relegation Prospects Brighten

The relegation battle in Ligue 1 continues to intensify, with Brest’s victory providing a glimmer of hope for teams like Nantes and others battling to avoid the drop. With only five matches remaining for Brest and Nantes, both sides must maximize their performances to secure safety. Meanwhile, teams like Reims, Metz, and Clermont are also jostling for position, making the race to avoid relegation one of the most compelling storylines of the season.

In a match that was a microcosm of the entire league season, Brest’s victory over Nantes not only provided a moment of celebration for the Bretons but also reignited hopes for survival among the teams at the lower end of the table. The coming weeks will be critical as the fight for Ligue 1 survival reaches its climax.