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Nantes Scored In The Ninth Minute, Fans Think It Was Destiny
Nantes beat Toulouse 2-0 in the French Cup last night and the opening goal really was meant to be.
Kalifa Coulibaly found the net in the 9th minute and the club's official Twitter account tweeted to say they felt the spirit of Emiliano Sala, their former No.9 who never got to realise his Premier League dream.
Nantes captioned a picture of Sala on the big screen: "Obviously we score in the ninth minute, obviously."
⏱ ' 9'
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL ! Kalifa Coulibaly reprend de la tête un coup franc de Lima, le FC Nantes est parfaitement rentré dans son match, 1-0 !
:one:-:zero: ' #FCNTFC pic.twitter.com/bb5WUEAtNJ
- FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 5, 2019
Ouverture du score à la :nine:e minute, évidemment...
:one:-:zero: ' #FCNTFC pic.twitter.com/Sewcjl2hyi
- FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 5, 2019
De là où il l'es il continue à veiller sur nous et à nous faire marqué des but :pray::yellow_heart::green_heart:
- Rom 8 :pray::heart::beginner: (@romeus2222) February 5, 2019
c'est beau comme symbole :green_heart::yellow_heart:
- valerie (@valerielamarron) February 5, 2019
Quel symbole :yellow_heart::green_heart:
- Mimiliano :yellow_heart::green_heart: (@fcn44Nantes) February 5, 2019
Last week was Nantes' first home game since the Argentine went missing and his former teammates all wore his number on the back of their shirts to remember him.
Some Cardiff fans also made the trip for the match, bringing their banner to show support.
Cardiff fans have travelled to Nantes for their game tonight to pay respects to Emiliano Sala. :clap:
The banner reads: "We never saw you play and never saw you score, Emiliano our beautiful bluebird we will love you forever more." pic.twitter.com/oK5GmjTAju
- The Away Fans (@theawayfans) January 30, 2019
And then, in a truly incredible moment, the referee blew his whistle and brought the game to a halt as soon as the game entered minute number nine - the squad number Sala wore for Nantes.
Play is stopped with nine minutes on the clock in honour of Emiliano Sala :yellow_heart::green_heart: pic.twitter.com/o42QRDxKaI
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 30, 2019
The players and staff, along with the fans in the stands then erupted into a wonderful applause. A real classy gesture from the referee.
Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodzic was visibly upset and struggled to hold back tears as he watched on from the bench.
Days later emotions were also high for Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock when the Bluebirds hosted Bournemouth in their first home game since the tragic appearance of Sala and pilot David Ibbotson.
Bobby Reid struck the first of two goals from the spot in the first half and immediately set about holding Sala's shirt aloft in tribute.
A special moment for Cardiff...
Bobby Reid scores and immediately pays tribute to Emiliano Sala :clap: pic.twitter.com/UikPitzOHT
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 2, 2019
After the game, you could see how much the victory meant to Warnock. He fist pumped and gestured in celebratory fashion while the home fans belted out "Sing a song for Sala" in the stands.
Neil Warnock said he just wanted to get to the end of the game today...
And there was a pure release of emotion when that moment came :blue_heart: pic.twitter.com/FjX2NX6IFy
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 2, 2019
It proved overwhelming for the former QPR boss, who teared up as he applauded supporters on his way back down the tunnel.
Topics: Football News, David Ibbotson, Football, Emiliano Sala, Ligue One, Neil Warnock, Nantes, France, Cardiff City
