Kroupi double hands Lorient Breton Derby win, Paris FC dig deep against Grenoble

The race for promotion to Ligue 1 is starting to reach boiling point after an eventful Matchday 30 in Ligue 2 BKT. Leaders FC Lorient managed to overcome Guingamp in a Breton derby, whilst Bastia announced a late charge for the play-offs with a 5-2 win over Laval - and Paris FC held onto second after a tense win over Grenoble. Here’s a look back at the key action across the weekend.

Junior Kroupi scores third brace in a row in Lorient derby win

Timid for the first hour at Guingamo's Stade Roudourou, Lorient looked a shadow of the side that had won three straight matches. When Guingamp’s Rayan Ghrieb opened the scoring early in the second half (54’), it seemed the leaders might finally stumble. But Olivier Pantaloni’s triple substitution turned the game on its head.

Eli Junior Kroupi - the most clinical finisher in Ligue 2 this season - truck twice in two minutes (60’, 62’) to stun Guingamp and deliver a fourth consecutive win for Lorient. The young forward’s movement, instinct, and finishing once again proved decisive in a game that could have gone either way. The 18-year-old has now scored in each of his last six games for FC Lorient, scoring a brace in his last three.

Lorient now sit on 64 points, three clear of Paris FC and four ahead of Metz, who both also won this weekend. 

Paris FC avoid a slip-up in the Alps 

It wasn’t pretty, but Paris FC did what they had to do. On a tricky trip to Grenoble, the Parisians went ahead through Samir Chergui (13’) before a slick Grenoble move brought the hosts level via Matthéo Xantippe (67’). But nerves were calmed when Pierre-Yves Hamel rifled in the winner late on (77’), keeping Paris FC firmly in second place with four games to play.

Metz Stay in the Hunt with another Big Win Over Martigues

FC Metz continued their dominance over newly-promoted Martigues with a second crushing win of the season—this time a convincing 4-1 away victory, following their 6-0 hammering in the reverse fixture. Goals from Diallo, Hein, and Jallow ensured the Grenats bounced back from a slip-up in Caen to remain hot on the heels of the top two.

Bastia’s Goal-Fest Keeps Promotion Dream Alive

If one team stole the show this weekend, it was SC Bastia. The Corsicans blew past Laval 5-2 at home, remaining unbeaten at Armand-Cesari and moving within two points of fifth-place Guingamp.

Lamine Cissé was everywhere—two assists, a penalty won, and a goal to top it all off—as Bastia lit up the scoreboard. Goals from Boutrah, Vincent, Tomi, Cissé, and Oulaï made it a night to remember for Benoît Tavenot’s side, who are peaking at just the right time.

With just four matches remaining, Lorient (64 pts), Paris FC (61), and Metz (60) are leading the charge for automatic promotion. Bastia (8th) are now serious contenders for a playoff spot after back-to-back wins, while Guingamp (5th) are under pressure for their play-off spot after two defeats on the bounce.

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>>Caen hold Metz as Lorient & Paris FC lead the way