Awaziem's Late Equalizer Rescues Nantes in Dramatic Draw with Lorient

Nantes, France — In a match defined by late drama, Nantes salvaged a 1-1 draw against Lorient on Sunday evening at La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau, with defender Chidozie Awaziem experiencing the full spectrum of emotions by scoring at both ends of the pitch.

The first half appeared to be heading toward a goalless conclusion until a dramatic turn of events in stoppage time. In the first minute of added time before the break, Awaziem inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Lorient a 1-0 advantage. The unfortunate own goal silenced the home supporters who had been vocally backing their team throughout the opening period.

Lorient's disciplined defensive shape frustrated Nantes for much of the second half, with the visitors looking increasingly likely to secure all three points as time ticked away. The home side's pursuit of an equalizer gained urgency when Anthony Lopes was shown a yellow card in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, adding to the growing tension in the stadium.

The match's intensity continued after the break with both teams making tactical adjustments. Nantes introduced fresh legs just before the hour mark, with Mostafa Mohamed replacing Youssef El-Arabi and Pablo Pagis coming on for Dermane Karim. These changes injected new energy into the home side's attack as they pushed forward with increasing desperation.

Lorient's Darlin Yongwa entered the referee's book in the 76th minute, setting up a tense final quarter of the match. The visitors attempted to shore up their defense when Mohamed Bamba replaced Sambou Soumano in the 71st minute, while Nantes continued to press forward in search of an equalizer.

Just when it seemed Lorient would escape with a victory, redemption arrived for Awaziem. In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, the defender rose highest to meet a cross, powering a header from the center of the box into the bottom left corner. The stadium erupted as Awaziem's perfect placement gave the goalkeeper no chance, bringing the scores level at 1-1.

The dramatic equalizer energized the home crowd, and Nantes pushed for a winner in the dying moments. Nathaniel Adjei replaced Bamo Meïté in the second minute of stoppage time as both teams made their final adjustments, but neither side could find a breakthrough in the remaining moments. The final whistle confirmed a share of the points in a match that showcased the unpredictable nature of football and the resilience of a Nantes side that refused to accept defeat.