Paris (AFP) – Nice survived the first-half dismissal of captain Dante and Walter Benitez saved a dreadful Panenka penalty in a 0-0 draw at Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
The 38-year-old Brazilian was sent off for the second time in three games following a foul on Elye Wahi in the Nice penalty area 10 minutes before half-time.
Teji Savanier attempted to chip his spot-kick down the middle but saw his effort easily held by Benitez, who kept a fourth successive clean sheet for a Nice team with the league’s best defence.
Montpellier’s Valere Germain hit the post against his former club to leave the hosts with just two wins in their past nine games, a run which has destroyed their European prospects.
Christophe Galtier’s side are three points clear of Marseille in the race for the second automatic Champions League spot. OM will try to end a three-match winless run Sunday at Brest.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $5.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season