Emiliano Sala: Nantes players and fans pay tribute to Cardiff striker in first match since plane disappeared over English Channel

The hosts snatched a 1-1 draw against Sainte-Etienne as the search continues for the Argentine

Nantes paid tribute to former striker Emiliano Sala following the Argentine’s disappearance with an emotional evening at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Nantes drew with Sainte-Etienne 1-1, with Sala and pilot David Ibbotson remembered in the first game since the Piper Malibu plane vanished over the English Channel two days after Sala completed a £15 million move to Cardiff.

Remy Cabella put Sainte-Etienne ahead, but the hosts rallied, with Waris Majeed striking an equaliser.

A poster of Sala at the stadium was surrounded by flowers laid by flowers, with the players making a statement by wearing t-shirts which had an image of the Argentine, complimented with a caption: “pray for Sala.”

Several Cardiff fans were also in attendance, making the trip just hours after the Blue Birds’ 2-1 loss at Arsenal.

A cover on the centre circle also depicted the same image of the 28-year-old, while Nantes played a video of the striker’s goals during his spell at the club as the home side came out wearing shirts with his name on.

As the players conducted the pre-match handshake, three stands put on card displays – one showing the number nine to honour Sala’s squad number during his time at the French club, another with the striker’s name and the third depicting the Argentina flag before the crowd observed a minute’s silence.

Nantes players pay tribute to Emiliano Sala (AP)

However, St Etienne, who are fourth in Ligue 1, came close to taking a fifth-minute lead when Wahbi Khazri almost scored direct from a corner, only for goalkeeper Maxime Dupe to claw out his attempt at the near post.

In the ninth minute, referee Frank Schneider stopped play for a minute’s applause from the crowd and players, which reduced Nantes boss Vahid Halilhodzic to tears.

Nantes players wear t-shirts with the image of Emiliano Sala (AFP/Getty Images)

The match struggled to pick up in tempo thereafter until Nantes almost broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when striker Kalifa Coulibaly was free inside the six-yard box but somehow headed wide.

Both sides were then reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Fabio and Yann M’Vila were dismissed during a flashpoint in stoppage time after the Brazilian defender tried to grab the ball from the St Etienne midfielder.

Nantes fans pay tribute to Emiliano Sala (AFP/Getty ) (AFP/Getty)

St Etienne took the lead in the 58th minute through Cabella, when his dinked effort was cleared off the line before he tapped in the rebound.

However, Nantes were level 12 minutes later with a superb counter-attack as they worked their way from their own penalty area before Coulibaly found Waris to slide home and spark emotional celebrations.

Yellow and green scarves were thrown in the air as fans ran to the bottom of the stands in jubilation, with goalscorer Waris holding up a shirt which translated to “We love you, Emi” to the Nantes faithful.