Ligue 2 (J31): Laval traps Dunkerque and regains hope

Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365 : published on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10:53 pm

Laval scored a 2-0 victory against Dunkerque in the closing match of the 31st day of Ligue 2, coming within two points of the non-relegation spot held by Nancy. Dunkerque now has nothing left to play for this season.

This 31st day of Ligue 2 was marked by the rebellion of the lower-ranked teams! After Bastia, the surprising winner against St-Etienne and now second-to-last, it was Laval, in the playoff spot, who went out to secure a victory that gives them hope for survival. Lavallois won against Dunkerque (10th) and are now just two points away from Nancy, the top non-relegation team, who suffered a heavy defeat by Annecy on Friday.

Laval only took six minutes to open the scoring. Sellouki found Houdayer completely unmarked in the penalty area from a left free kick, and Niflore (who, however, held his arms back) brought him down. The referee adjudged it a penalty, and Camara scored, sending Niflore the wrong way (0-1). Sellouki then forced a good save from the goalkeeper after a breakthrough in the opponent’s camp. But after 20 minutes of play, Dunkerque began to show some signs of life. Bokele first forced Samassa to make a save from distance, and then delivered a cross for Robinet in the box, but Sanna intervened just in time.

Dunkerque pushes, in vain

Later, Bardelli, in the half-hour mark, headed the ball in from within 6 meters, but he was too far out to trouble the Laval goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Georgen found himself in a good position in the area after a Zossou cross, but he missed the target. Dunkerque kept pushing and could have been rewarded in the 39th minute with another Bokele cross for Robinet, but the Mayenne defense held firm yet again. Under pressure and forced to commit fouls (yellow cards for Mandouki, Bianda, and Houdayer), the Lavallois managed to see it through to halftime.

In the second half, the Nordistes resumed their attack, with another long-range strike from Bokele (48th) and a narrowly deflected Georgen cross (51st). However, it was Laval who came closest to scoring the second goal of the match, after a good move by Houdayer (54th). Bardelli (56th and 62nd) for Dunkerque and Sellouki (59th and 65th) for Laval then had chances, but in vain. Nordistes raised the intensity in an attempt to equalize, notably through Kanté, who came off the bench.

Clavreul seals Laval’s victory

Finally, after a prolonged ball possession phase, it was Laval who doubled their lead! In the 85th minute, Vargas found Thomas, who set up Clavreul in the box. The 19-year-old native of Laval beat Niflore at close range to score the second goal (0-2). The five minutes of stoppage time were not enough for USLD to score, making it an eighth match in a row without a win for Dunkerque. The supporters made their feelings known to the players at the end of the match, but the 10th-placed Ligue 2 team no longer has anything to play for. The opposite of Laval!