Saint-Étienne survives penalty drama to set up Ligue 1 playoff clash
A late substitute decision by Philippe Montanier proved decisive as Saint-Étienne edged past Rodez in a tense penalty shootout to book a Ligue 1 playoff berth against the 16th-placed team from France’s top flight.
Saint-Étienne’s hopes of securing promotion to Ligue 1 rested on the shoulders of an unlikely hero Friday night. With the score locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes of uninspiring football, coach Philippe Montanier turned to 36-year-old substitute goalkeeper Brice Maubleu, replacing captain Gautier Larsonneur in a bold tactical gamble that would ultimately define the play-off 2 outcome.
Maubleu delivers four saves as Saint-Étienne claimed a dramatic 7-6 victory in the penalty shootout against Rodez. The veteran shot-stopper’s heroics ensured the Verts will face the 16th-placed team from Ligue 1 — Le Havre, Auxerre or Nice — in a two-legged playoff. The first leg is scheduled for May 21 at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, with the return leg set for May 24 away.
A nerve-shredding shootout
The tension was palpable from the outset of the penalty shootout. Maubleu’s first two stops kept Saint-Étienne in the contest, but a missed penalty by Aïmen Moueffek left the door ajar. With Rodez clinging to hope, youngster Djylian N’Guessan (17) and Abdoulaye Kanté stepped up to maintain the momentum. Maubleu’s fourth save was the turning point: Loïc Nadé converted the decisive kick to send Saint-Étienne through.
Rodez’s missed golden chance
«It was a tough game,» admitted Saint-Étienne defender Maxime Bernauer. The Verts struggled to break down Rodez’s resilient defense, despite the opposition’s impressive 21-game unbeaten streak and a recent 3-2 win over Red Star in play-off 1.
Rodez nearly snatched victory in the dying moments. A late strike by Moueffek was comfortably saved by Quentin Braat, while Sammy Benchamma blazed over an open goal in the 81st minute, squandering a golden opportunity to secure the win.
The Ruthénois, playing their best football of the season, created the game’s best chances in the first half. Wilitty Younoussa rattled the crossbar with a first-half header (21st), while Tairyk Arconte forced Larsonneur into a sharp save in stoppage time (45th+1).
Though more subdued in the second half, Rodez nearly snatched all three points. Saint-Étienne dominated possession but lacked cutting edge, with Moueffek’s late effort again turned away by Braat (90th+1).
The 5th-placed side in Ligue 2 will remain in the second division for 2026-27, while Saint-Étienne keeps their promotion dreams alive. The playoff final against a Ligue 1 struggler now awaits the Verts, who will need to raise their game to secure a return to France’s elite.
