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Match Reports

Ligue 2 Review #20: Metz see off Paris FC to rise into top 2, Lorient keep lead at summit

FC Metz 3-1 Paris FC: Les Grenats see off Les Parisiens to rise into top two
George Boxall
Published on 01/22/2025 at 10:00
3-minute read
As the Ligue 2 BKT season enters a crucial couple of months at both ends of the table, a new contender rises into the promotion spots as Lorient keep their lead at the summit.

It finally looks like Stéphane Le Mignan's side are back to serious business this season. After suffering a blip in the autumn months, Metz have risen back into the promotion spots following a convincing 3-1 win over Paris FC at Stade Saint-Symphorien. Papa Amadou Diallo was on target to open the scoring (16') before the away side managed to equalise via Jean-Phillipe Krasso, who set up by Vincent Marchetti's low cross (28').

Yet it was the hosts who thereafter dominated in the affair. Gauthier Hein continued his promising season with not one but two assists, firstly for Idrissa Gueuye who put Metz back in the lead (55') before he set up Papa Amadou Diallo for the Senegalese forward's brace (71'). Paris were well beaten away from home, and dropped to third in the table for the second time this season before facing Red Star FC in what will be a heated Paris derby next weekend at Stade Charléty. 

THE STAT: Earning his first start in Ligue 2 BKT, Idrissa Gueye became, at 18 years and 124 days, Metz's youngest goalscorer in Ligue 1 + L2 since Miralem Pjanic, in May 2008, in L1 (1 goal v Le Mans at 18 years and 45 days).

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Dunkerque 0-1 Lorient: Les Merlus face-off Maritime threat 

Olivier Pantaloni's FC Lorient managed to see off a resurgent Dunkerque side away from home to keep their three-point lead at the top of the Ligue 2 BKT table. Stade Marcel Tribut has been a difficult place to go this season, with Dunkerque more often than not building their positive momentum this season at their home ground. Les Maritimes once again showed promise against the league leaders, but the away side was smart and clinical enough to avoid any slip-up.

Eli Junior Kroupi set up Montassar Talbi to open the scoring on the edge of the box with a precise finish (14'), and Les Lorientais didn't look back afterwards. Pantaloni's side managed to defend their lead and see out the match for an important result at the top of the table, which means FCL retained their three-point lead.

THE STAT: Dunkerque have lost their first Ligue 2 BKT home match since 16 August 2024 (0-2 v Annecy), a run of eight matches (each won), ending their longest consecutive home winning streak ever in the division.

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Elsewhere in Ligue 2 BKT: 

  • Grenoble won their third successive encounter under interim manager Frédéric Gueguen, this time inflicting a 13th defeat on bottom side FC Martigues as Eddy Sylvestre scored in the fifth minute of injury time to bring home the three points to the Alps. 
  • EA Guingamp have moved to only one point away from the play-off spots after a convincing win over Rodez (3-0), with Hemia, Labeau, and Luvambo all on the scoresheet for the Breton side. 
  • Annecy solidified their spot in the playoffs after a 1-0 win over Troyes on Monday evening thanks to Yohann Demoncy's goal in the fourth minute.
  • Pau secured a 3-1 victory over Red Star at Stade Bauer to move into the top 10 spots. Antoine Mille opened the scoring before Damien Durand's leveller for Les Audoniens. Yet a penalty from Pathé Mboup and a third goal from Ange Ahoussou secured all three points for the Pallois. 

READ MORE: 

>>Ligue 2 Review #19: Bastia triumph in Corsica derby, PFC back into promotion places

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