Ligue 2 Review #18: Martigues surprise Paris FC, Laval beat Lorient
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Paris FC 1-2 Martigues: Ligue 2's bottom side surprises promotion chasers
Martigues grabbed their first win in over two months in dramatic fashion against Paris FC to temporarily dump the former league leaders out of the promotion spots. Les Parisiens started well at Charléty for their first match of 2025 when they went ahead via Jean-Phillipe Krasso's strike (13'). Yet the side from the south would rip up the script when they equalised just at the start of the second period via Romain Montiel with a one-on-one finish (47').
The Martegeux made it difficult for Paris FC for the rest of the half, and they would do one better when Karim Tilili was quick on his feet to lob Obed Nkambadio late on to secure a precious three points for Martigues (87'). PFC would be left to regret their missed chances, including hitting the post via Illan Kebbal. The side from the capital dropped down to third place consequently.
Laval 2-0 Lorient: Les Mayennais beat the league leaders
Stade Lavallois achieved an impressive 2-0 win against Ligue 2 BKT leaders Lorient on Saturday evening. Laval keeper Mamadou Samassa made several crucial saves in the first half to deny Lorient's Kroupi and Pagis before Owen Kouassi opened the scoring with his first professional goal, converting after a free-kick from Sellouki hit the post (67'). Malik Tchokounté then doubled the lead for Laval, finishing after capitalising on a Lorient defensive error (86').
The victory lifts Laval to 6th place with 28 points, just outside the playoff spots and extends their unbeaten run to four games. Despite the loss, Lorient remains at the top of the Ligue 2 standings with 33 points, but their lead over second-placed Dunkerque has shrunk to just one point.
Elsewhere in Ligue 2:
- Grenoble sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory in their first game under new manager Frédéric Gueguen, with Jessy Benet scoring a 90+4' penalty to seal the three points.
- Red Star made the 14hr round-trip to Rodez and came away with a vital three points to overtake the Aveyron side in 13th place. Hacène Benali and Aliou Badji were the scorers for Les Audoniens.
Clermont ran out as 1-0 winners over SM Caen in a vital match at the bottom of the table which saw the away side go five points ahead in 15th ahead of the Normands.
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