Multiplex: Paris FC stumble on return, Panichelli wins the Derby de l'Est for Strasbourg
The opening multiplex of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 McDonald's season burst into life late on as three fixtures produced opening weekend wins for Angers, Auxerre and Strasbourg. Angers held off Paris FC 1-0 in the capital club’s long-awaited return to the top flight, while Auxerre edged Lorient 1-0 thanks to a thunderous finish from Lassine Sinayoko, and Joaquín Panichelli marked his Ligue 1 McDonald's debut with a decisive header in Strasbourg’s derby victory at Metz.
Panichelli delivers derby joy for Strasbourg
In the Grand Est, the derby between Metz and Strasbourg promised fireworks but delivered a cautious first period. Joaquín Panichelli had the first chance of the tense affair, as the Argentine flicked Emmanuel Emegha's cross just over the bar. But Metz's new keeper Jonathan Fischer was relatively untroubled in the first period.
Strasbourg pushed hard in the second period, as Emegha came close to opening the scoring after a header that was cleared off the line. Kendry Paez would come on to make his debut for Les Alsatiens before Liam Rosenior's men would finally make the breakthrough through Panichelli with a powerful header from around the penalty spot after the cross was provided by Dilane Bakwa (86').
Sinayoko stunner hands Auxerre opening weekend win
At the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre looked the more comfortable side against Lorient but were repeatedly thwarted in the final third. Akor Adams Tosin came closest for the visitors when he raced in behind and attempted a delicate chip over Donovan Léon, only for his effort to drift narrowly wide.
The home side, meanwhile, failed to capitalise on several promising set-piece situations, with Casimir and Mensah misfiring from dead-ball range. With both sides unable to find the breakthrough, the match remained goalless at half-time. Lassine Sinayoko would light up the match following the resumption of play with a magnificent strike from the edge of the box arrowed into the right corner (53').
Auxerre might have made life easier had Casimir not smashed a penalty against the crossbar minutes earlier, while Lorient came close to equalising through Soumano, only to be denied by a string of sharp saves from Donovan Léon - especially in injury time.
Angers spoil Paris FC’s return
Promoted Paris FC dominated possession at the Stade Raymond-Kopa, but were undone by a ninth-minute strike from Esteban Lepaul when the striker took advantage of a misjudgement by Kolodziejczak to break free and beat Nkambadio in a one-on-one (9'). Les Parisiens reacted as Illan Kebbal let rip from range with a strike that was heading for the top corner and was tipped over with a splendid save from Hervé Koffi.
From there, the capital side carved out opportunities to level through Moses Simon, Julien Lopez, and a lively Iliesse Kebbal, but they found Hervé Koffi in inspired form. The Burkina Faso international produced a string of saves, including a superb first-half stop to deny Kebbal’s curling strike.
Despite enjoying nearly two-thirds of possession, Paris FC trailed at the break. Louis Mouton would be sent-off for a challenge on Timothée Kolodziejczak just before the hour-mark, and Paris FC would be pushing hard to level proceedings in the final 30 minutes. Despite 68% possession and a numerical advantage, Paris FC returned to Ligue 1 McDonald's after 46 years away with a frustrating defeat. SCO held on with character to earn their first three points of the campaign.
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