Monaco, Feb 08: Ederson's late header was enough for Nice to win 1-0 at Monaco on Tuesday (February 7) and send them through to the French League Cup Final.
Both sides had chances to win it but the Brazilian substitute steered Sebastian Roudet's cross past Guillaume Warmuz with two minutes of normal time left to settle the tie.
Monaco's Italian striker Christian Vieri had come closest to breaking the deadlock but his acrobatic effort crashed back off the crossbar.
Monaco hosted local rivals Nice in the semi-finals of the French League Cup on Tuesday night at the Stade Louis II.
With both sides out of the French Cup and having disappointing league campaigns, this represented their best chance of silverware this season.
And the visitors came close to taking the lead on 20 minutes when Marama Vahirua's shot was tipped wide by Guillaume Warmuz.
Back came Monaco and Hugo Lloris had to be alert to turn over Jaroslav Plasil's long-range effort on 31 minutes.
So scoreless at half-time but Nice captain Sammy Traore and Monaco striker Marco Di Vaio seemed intent on continuing hostilities in the tunnel.
Just after the break, Monaco were indebted to Camel Meriem for being in the right place at the right time when Olivier Echouafni's header was destined for the net.
Just before the midway point of the half, Christian Vieri was desperately unlucky when his acrobatic volley crashed off the crossbar after good work by Manuel Dos Santos.
The Italian striker, signed earlier this season from AC Milan, showed uncharacteristic agility to get his effort in but the woodwork denied him with Lloris well beaten.
Nice again threatened with Mamadou Bagayoko getting on the end on David Bellion's cross but failing to divert the ball goalwards under pressure from Dos Santos to the relief of Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin.
But Guidolin was to be left disappointed as the men in black deservedly struck late on.
With two minutes of normal time remaining and extra time imminent, Sebastian Roudet escaped down the left and his cross was powerfully headed home by Brazilian substitute Ederson.
The goal was enough for a 1-0 win and they can now look forward to their first ever League Cup final against either Nancy or Le Mans.
But it was agony for Monaco with Vieri set to have a trophy-less first season in France.
Bureau Report