Red card: Giovanni Haag (90’+5′) for Red Star

A thrilling Ligue 2 playoff match at Bauer Stadium saw Rodez AF overturn a two-goal deficit to defeat Red Star 3-2, keeping their unbeaten league run intact since November. The victory secures their spot in the next round, where they’ll face Saint-Étienne at Geoffroy-Guichard. The atmosphere was electric, with fans treated to a feast of attacking football featuring five goals, a dramatic late red card, and all the drama one could ask for.

Red Star takes early lead

From the outset, Red Star dominated proceedings, with Kevin Cabral opening the scoring in style. The forward rose majestically to head home a cross from Damien Durand, leaving goalkeeper Quentin Braat with no chance (1-0, 15′). The Parisian side pressed hard for more, but Rodez gradually found their rhythm.

Tairyk Arconte showed his physical presence to equalize with a powerful header (1-1, 29′). The match then swung between end-to-end action and brief lulls, but the intensity never dropped at Bauer Stadium.

Rodez’s dramatic comeback

Red Star nearly doubled their lead through Cabral again, but Braat made a crucial save. The tide turned when Josué Escartin capitalized on a defensive error to restore the hosts’ lead (2-1, 61′). What followed was ten minutes of pure chaos.

First, Rodez drew level through a stunning volley from Magnin from a corner (2-2, 67′). Then, in the 69th minute, Wilitty Younoussa completed the stunning comeback with a cool finish, slipping the ball past Gaëtan Poussin (2-3). The goal sparked wild celebrations among the travelling away fans.

The drama wasn’t over though. In stoppage time, Red Star’s frustration boiled over as Giovanni Haag was shown a straight red card for dissent, sealing a heartbreaking loss for the home side. Rodez, meanwhile, celebrated their thrilling victory and continued their impressive unbeaten league run.

Rodez’s unbeaten league run continues

This victory extends Rodez’s remarkable unbeaten streak in Ligue 2 to over six months. Their next challenge awaits at Saint-Étienne’s iconic Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, where they’ll look to continue their push for promotion to Ligue 1.

Red Star (5-3-2): Poussin – Sylla (Magnin, 75′), Durivaux, Escartin, Huard (Haag, 62′), Durand – Danger, Pierret, Hachem (Ba, 75′) – Cabral (Khaoui, 75′), Ikanga (Benali, 62′). Coach: Grégory Poirier.

Rodez AF (3-5-2): Braat – Galves, Laurent, Magnin, Lipinski, Jean-Lambert (Ponti, 66′) – Mendes (Benchamma, 90’+2′), Trouillet (Saka, 86′), Joly (Younoussa, 66′) – Baldé (Nagera, 86′), Arconte. Coach: Didier Santini.