Balotelli continued his fine form in the competition with his brace, before later efforts from Brian Hamalainen and Adrien Aoutsa cancelled each other out.

In a perfect start, Balotelli converted from the penalty spot, sending goalkeeper Louis Bostyn the wrong way.

The striker made it 2-0 from close range in the 31st to put the hosts in control with his fourth goal in five Europa League games this season.

Tameze added a late goal for Nice, while Hamalainen scored the consolation goal for Waregem.