As in the previous season, it took until the 34th and final day for the Havre Athletic Club to finally secure its place in Ligue 1. Playing away at Lorient on Sunday, May 17, Didier Digard’s players triumphed 2-0.
Match Overview
It was thanks to an own goal by Lorient’s Abdoulaye Faye that the Havrais opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The Merlus had a chance to equalize before halftime, with a penalty awarded after a mistake by young Enzo Koffi on Lorient’s captain Laurent Abergel. But facing his compatriot Bamba Dieng, who took the penalty for FCL, the Ciel & Marine goalkeeper Mory Diaw stood firm and firmly repelled the ball.
In the second half, Issa Soumaré, Havre’s top scorer, added to his personal tally with a goal in the 62nd minute – his eighth of the season – thanks to a decisive pass from the impressive Sofiane Boufal.
A Shrinking Lead
After holding a lead of up to nine points over the relegation playoff spot, HAC saw that cushion gradually disappear in recent weeks, following a series of defeats or draws. At the start of this final matchday, Le Havre, in 14th place, had only a one-point advantage over Auxerre and Nice.
In this final round, Auxerre defied the odds by winning away at Lille (0-2) and Nice was held to a draw at home by Metz (0-0). With 35 points, Havre finishes in 14th place in the league, securing direct maintenance without going through the playoffs.
Nice will face the winner of the Ligue 2 playoffs, AS Saint-Etienne, in the playoffs. At the bottom of the table, Metz (18th) and Nantes (17th) are relegated directly to Ligue 2.
