RC Strasbourg vs OGC Nice

Strasbourg blew Nice away with a devastating first-half display, racing to a 3-0 lead before the break in a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Stade de la Meinau. Playing without top scorer Joaquin Panichelli, sidelined with a torn ACL suffered on international duty, the hosts proved they have more than enough firepower to cope. Martial Godo rattled the crossbar on 24 minutes before powering home a header four minutes later. Julio Enciso made it 2-0 in the 36th minute, donning a Panichelli shirt in a touching tribute to his stricken teammate. Samir El Mourabet then capped a stunning first half with a spectacular half-volley from distance on 42 minutes. Antoine Mendy grabbed a consolation for Nice in the 82nd minute, but Strasbourg were never in any danger. The win stretches Strasbourg's unbeaten run to 10 matches and keeps the eighth-placed side firmly in the hunt for Europe. For Nice, a 15th defeat of the season leaves them languishing in 15th on just 27 points. The two sides meet again in the French Cup semifinals on April 22.