18 Ibrahima BALDE (raf) - 04 Balthazar PIERRET (red) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats Playoffs match between Red Star and Rodez at Stade Bauer on May 12, 2026 in Saint-Ouen, France. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport) - Photo by Icon Sport
Rodez snatches victory from Red Star in dramatic Ligue 2 playoff clash
In a thrilling Ligue 2 playoff showdown at Saint-Ouen’s Bauer Stadium, Rodez AFC pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over Red Star FC, overcoming two early goals to book their place in the next round. The Ruthénois will now face AS Saint-Étienne at Geoffroy-Guichard, where the atmosphere promises to be electric.
Unrelenting drama at Bauer Stadium
The match began with an early strike from Red Star, as Kevin Cabral powered a header past Rodez goalkeeper Quentin Braat after a cross from Damien Durand (0-1, 15th minute). The visitors dominated the opening exchanges, but Rodez equalized when Tairyk Arconte’s physical presence set up Ibrahima Baldé to slot home (1-1, 29th minute).
The intensity never waned. Cabral nearly doubled his tally, forcing Braat into a crucial save, before setting up Josué Escartin for a dramatic 2-1 lead (61st minute). Rodez responded in style, with Mathis Magnin’s stunning volley from a corner (2-2, 67th minute), followed by Wilitty Younoussa’s breakthrough goal, slotted past Gaëtan Poussin (2-3, 69th minute) — a moment met with wild celebrations by the away supporters.
The Red Star faithful, though disappointed, remained vocal until the final whistle. Giovanni Haag’s dismissal in stoppage time for dissent only added to the chaotic finale, leaving the Parisian side to reflect on a heartbreaking night in Saint-Ouen.
Rodez’s unbeaten streak continues as they target Ligue 1
With this hard-fought win, Rodez extends their impressive unbeaten run in Ligue 2 to over six months. The Aveyron-based side will now face AS Saint-Étienne in the next playoff round, a clash set to ignite the passionate atmosphere of Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
Match facts
- Goals: Cabral (15’), Escartin (61’) for Red Star; Baldé (29’), Magnin (67’), Younoussa (69’) for Rodez
- Red card: Haag (90+5’) for Red Star
- Rodez’s form: Unbeaten in Ligue 2 since November
Lineups
- Poussin – Sylla (Magnin, 75’), Durivaux, Escartin, Huard (Haag, 62’), Durand – Danger, Pierret, Hachem (Ba, 75’) – Cabral (Khaoui, 75’), Ikanga (Benali, 62’)
- Manager: Grégory Poirier
- Braat – Galves, Laurent, Magnin, Lipinski, Jean-Lambert (Ponti, 66’) – Mendes (Benchamma, 90+2’), Trouillet (Saka, 86’), Joly (Younoussa, 66’) – Baldé (Nagera, 86’), Arconte
- Manager: Didier Santini
What’s next?
The road to Ligue 1 continues for Rodez, who will face AS Saint-Étienne in a high-stakes playoff clash at Geoffroy-Guichard. For Red Star, the focus shifts to regrouping after a dramatic setback in their pursuit of promotion.
