Saint-Étienne secured a dramatic promotion spot on Friday night, overcoming Rodez 7-6 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in regular time. The victory ends a five-match losing streak in penalty shootouts for Les Verts, a drought stretching back a decade. Their next challenge? Confronting the 16th-placed Ligue 1 team in a high-stakes relegation playoff.

Maubleu’s heroics seal dramatic victory

With the score deadlocked after extra time, Philippe Montanier made a bold tactical decision, replacing starting goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur with penalty specialist Brice Maubleu. The move paid off spectacularly. Though Maubleu missed his own penalty, he made four crucial saves during the shootout, including stopping Wilitty Younoussa’s attempt to send his side through. « I knew I had to redeem myself after missing my shot, » Maubleu said post-match. « The team deserved this.»

Rodez’s unbeaten streak ends in heartbreak

Rodez arrived at Geoffroy-Guichard on a 21-game unbeaten run, yet left with nothing after a nervy performance. The visitors nearly broke the deadlock late in the second half, with Quentin Braat making two critical saves to deny Saint-Étienne. Only three days prior, Rodez had defeated Red Star 3-2, yet their hopes of a playoff clash with a Ligue 1 struggler were shattered in a dramatic finale.

Playoff awaits as Saint-Étienne eyes Ligue 1 return

The win marks Saint-Étienne’s second consecutive promotion playoff triumph, following their 2024 victory over Metz that secured their Ligue 1 return. Though they were relegated immediately, the club now has a chance to reclaim their top-flight status. Their opponent in the playoff will be determined after the 34th Ligue 1 matchday, setting up a potential high-pressure showdown at Geoffroy-Guichard.