Ligue 2 BKT: Saint-Étienne defeat Troyes to climb into top three

AS Saint-Étienne produced a statement victory on Saturday evening, overcoming league leaders ESTAC Troyes (2–3) to move back into the Ligue 2 BKT top three. It was the first home defeat of the season for the Champagne side, who had won every match at the Stade de l’Aube before this setback.

Boakye sparkles for Sainté

After a difficult run of four defeats in six matches, Eirik Horneland’s side faced a daunting challenge: a trip to the league leaders without three key defenders – João Ferreira, Maxime Bernauer and Chico Lamba. But it was the Verts who struck first.

Just ten minutes in, Augustine Boakye, freshly returned from injury, fired home a thunderous opener after a clever backheel assist from Joshua Duffus. Despite being without regular forwards Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili, Saint-Étienne’s attack was razor-sharp.

Irvin Cardona doubled the advantage on 34 minutes, before Duffus turned scorer himself in first-half added time to give the visitors a stunning 3–0 lead at the break.

Late nerves but valuable points

Troyes finally found their rhythm after the restart, pulling one back through a 61st-minute strike that briefly shifted momentum. Saint-Étienne, however, stood firm, led by the experienced Dennis Appiah and young centre-back Kévin Pedro, making a surprise start.

Despite conceding a second goal late on (86'), the Verts held their nerve to seal a crucial three points that reignite their promotion ambitions.

“We showed hunger tonight,” said midfielder Florian Tardieu after the match. “At 3–0, we have to manage the game better, but this win shows what we’re capable of.”

Saint-Étienne move to 26 points, just one behind Red Star FC (27) and two off Troyes (28), tightening an already thrilling race at the top.

Elsewhere in Ligue 2 BKT

Red Star FC missed the chance to go top after being held 0–0 at Le Mans. Substitute Cabral came closest in stoppage time, but his effort brushed the outside of the post.

En Avant Guingamp were also frustrated at home, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Pau FC (2–2) after leading by two goals through Mafouta and Hémia.

On Friday night, Montpellier HSC climbed onto the podium thanks to a trademark Téji Savanier free-kick in a 1–0 win over Annecy, while Stade de Reims earned an impressive 3–1 victory away to Bastia. Dunkerque and Boulogne-sur-Mer shared the spoils in a late 1–1 derby draw, and Clermont overturned Amiens 2–1 with two stoppage-time penalties from Kader Bamba.