Match Reports
Lorient clinch promotion after Paris FC stumble & Metz collapse at Pau
FC Lorient have officially sealed their return to Ligue 1 McDonald's! On Saturday, April 26, 2025, during Matchday 32 of Ligue 2 BKT, the Merlus secured promotion thanks to a dominant 4-0 victory over already-relegated Caen. At the same time, Metz’s 2-1 defeat away at Pau confirmed Lorient's immediate return to the top flight, just a year after relegation.
Lorient sparkle on a night to remember
Against a powerless Caen side, Olivier Pantaloni’s team quickly took control. Siriné Doucouré Bamba opened the scoring (17’), before rising star Eli Junior Kroupi doubled the lead (24’). Lorient eased off slightly after the break but added two more late goals through Sambou Soumano (78’, 90+2’). Meanwhile, news of Metz’s defeat sent the Stade du Moustoir into ecstasy.
With two matches to go, Lorient can now set their sights on clinching the Ligue 2 BKT title – the perfect way to kick off the club’s centenary celebrations in the 2025-2026 season.
"The end of the season was quite stressful with direct opponents who didn't give up," said a relieved Lorient manager Olivier Pantaloni following the game." Today, with two games to go, free of pressure and with the club already in Ligue 1 McDonald's, we've achieved the goal we set ourselves at the start of the season."
Paris FC falter at Rodez
Meanwhile, Paris FC dropped crucial points in their promotion push. Away at Rodez, the Parisians took the lead through Vincent Marchetti (36') but were pegged back when Tawfik Bentayeb equalized late on (78’), ensuring Rodez's survival in Ligue 2.
"There are a few minor regrets because, given the first half and the head-to-head at the start of the second, I think we could have made it 2-0," said Paris FC manager Stéphane Gilli following the game. "There's physical fatigue, which we often talk about, but there's also psychological fatigue, which plays a big part at the end of the season. It's tough to finish a season. It's been tough all year, I think the standard is really high in Ligue 2."
The 1-1 draw keeps PFC in second place but leaves the door slightly ajar for Metz... a chance the Grenats ultimately squandered.
Metz collapse physically and mentally in Pau
FC Metz fell apart at Pau, losing 2-1 and seeing their hopes of automatic promotion almost completely vanish. Despite a superb performance from goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart, Metz struggled defensively and eventually conceded to Mamadou M'Boup (72’) and Arconte from the penalty spot (82’). Two penalties conceded in one match reflected Metz’s fragile state. Papa Amadou Diallo had briefly equalized (79’) but it was a false dawn.
Now trailing Lorient by seven points and Paris FC by four, Metz are likely to settle for the promotion play-offs, barring an unlikely miracle in the final two games.
"Some players were probably stuck in a mental rut," said manager Stephane Le Mignan following the game. "Overall, it's hard to explain. Obviously, I'm not happy with how we're playing at the moment. We're all thinking about what we need to do to try and move forward and rediscover the momentum we've lost in the last two games."
Around the grounds in Ligue 2 BKT:
- Guingamp defeated FC Martigues (2-1) whilst Red Star FC and Clermont could only draw (1-1) at Stade Bauer, which leaves the Provence side in the relegation play-off spot ahead of the final two matches of the season.
- Guingamp's win means the Bretons lock down fifth place in the league, with Dunkerque and Metz holding the other play-off positions.
A win came also for Grenoble (3-2 over Bastia), whilst Pau and Troyes secured their respective spots in Ligue 2 BKT next season on 41 and 42 points. - Red Star FC and Rodez aren't yet home and dry in the battle to stay in the division, on 36 and 37 points respectively - whilst Martigues sit on 31 points with two games to play.
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