Saint-etienne secures promotion playoff after dramatic penalty shootout win

One year after their relegation, Saint-Étienne have seized a golden opportunity to reclaim their place in Ligue 1. The Verts subdued Rodez in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, ending 0-0 after regulation time before prevailing 7-6 from the spot. With this victory, they now prepare to face the 16th-placed team in France’s top flight, whose identity will be confirmed following the conclusion of this weekend’s fixtures.

Brice Maubleu emerged as the hero of the night, delivering four decisive saves in the shootout. Though he missed his own attempt, the goalkeeper’s heroics under extreme pressure kept his team’s promotion hopes alive. « I had the match-ball to win it but missed, so I had to step up and redeem myself—and Mika Nadé finished the job,» Maubleu reflected after the game.

A rollercoaster clash at Geoffroy-Guichard

The match itself was a tense affair, with both sides cancelling each other out for long spells. Rodez, riding a 21-game unbeaten streak, tested the home side early, while Saint-Étienne struggled to carve out clear chances despite dominating possession. A deflected effort from Wilitty Younoussa rattled the crossbar, and Rodez squandered a golden double opportunity in the 81st minute, leaving the stadium holding its breath until the final whistle.

Philippe Montanier’s bold tactical move paid dividends in the shootout. The coach opted to replace starting goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur—who had inadvertently eased his own exit—with Maubleu, a specialist in penalty situations. The gamble paid off spectacularly, as Maubleu turned the tide with a string of crucial stops, while Mika Nadé sealed the victory with the decisive penalty.

A familiar path to redemption

This triumph at Geoffroy-Guichard echoed a similar milestone two years prior, when the Verts overcame Metz in a playoff to return to Ligue 1 (2-1 agg.). Though their stay was short-lived, they now stand on the brink of securing another shot at the top tier. Their opponent in the upcoming playoff will be determined after the 34th round of Ligue 1, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown at the iconic stadium.