Saint-Étienne’s Ben Old in a duel with Rodez’s Loni Laurent during the second Ligue 2 play-off at Geoffroy-Guichard on May 15, 2026.
Credit: Alex MARTIN / AFP
And the Cauldron ignited. Engaged in a particularly tense match, AS Saint-Étienne managed to overcome Rodez on penalties (0-0 after extra time, 7-6 in penalties), on Friday, May 15, at the end of the second Ligue 2 play-off at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. Their substitute goalkeeper Brice Maubleu, brought in specifically for the occasion, shone with four saves. This overshadowed his miss of the second of three match points for the Ligurian club.
In regular time, Les Verts dominated the match but were ineffective due to technical shortcomings, a monotonous game, and being too predictable for the well-organized opponent. After half-time, Rodez noticeably dropped physically, paying the price for the energy spent in Tuesday’s win in the first round of the playoffs against Red Star (3-2). Despite an impressive 22-match unbeaten streak (since November 7), they were halted there.
Third in the standings after 34 matchdays behind Troyes and Le Mans, Saint-Étienne will now have the opportunity to compete in the promotion playoff against the 16th-placed Ligue 1 team to try and regain top-flight status, just a year after their relegation.
Now, it remains to be seen who their final opponent will be, which will only be known on Sunday evening after the final matchday of Ligue 1: Auxerre, Nice, or Le Havre. The first leg of the playoff is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, in Forez, with the return leg on Sunday, May 24, away from home.
