National: Huge disappointment for Fleury, overturned at the last minute by Rouen and deprived of promotion playoffs to Ligue 2

Players of Fleury collapse on the Essonne Stadium field or hide their faces in disappointment. Some wipe away tears in the image of goalkeeper Gaë*l Alette. Beaten (1-2), they have just experienced a huge disillusionment and a nightmarish scenario.

It is Rouen who will face Laval on Tuesday, May 19 with a return to Mayenne on Sunday, May 24 for a place in Ligue 2. The Essonne newcomer, 3rd before this “final”, is overtaken by the Normandy club who will therefore play in the playoffs.

On a well-worn turf, the Fleury players, tense, did not show their usual face and were pushed around by the Rouen players who absolutely had to win to take their place on the podium. As often this season, they could count on their providential scorer Kevin Farade.

With a low shot at the entrance of the area, the 30-year-old forward trained at PSG scored his 19th goal (1-0, 62nd). But everything was decided in a minute afterwards. Rouen goalkeeper Axel Maraval made a exceptional double save on Angong’s shot and Farade’s follow-up (72nd). In the aftermath, Hugo Aubourg, who had just entered the game, was sent off for a serious foul (72nd).

With ten, Fleury will crack in the money-time. Kenny Rocha Santos equalizes first on a penalty kick (87th). At this point, David Vignes’ players are still in 3rd place. But in injury time, Faye’s header plunges an entire club into shock (1-2, 90th + 1).

Fleury, who was discovering the National for the first time in its history, had a fabulous season but finished with two defeats and a frustrating 4th place. There will inevitably be a taste of unfinished business.

Meanwhile, Versailles, who still had a small hope in case of a favorable scenario, did not manage to win (2-2) against bottom-placed Saint-Brieuc, already relegated and reduced to ten men since the 22nd minute. The Versailles players took the lead twice through Kalai (7th) and Ben Brahim (67th) but were caught (35th, 76th). President Mulliez’s club finishes 5th, its best result (as in 2021-2022) for its 4th season in National.

On the other hand, Paris 13 Atletico, assured of maintenance since their draw last week against Aubagne (1-1), lost to QRM (1-0) and finishes 14th.

The three Parisian clubs will therefore start the new Ligue 3 from August 8.