Soccer / Saint-Étienne back in French Ligue 1
After a fierce battle on the field, AS Saint-Étienne has managed to seal its long-awaited return to the French Ligue 1, leaving FC Metz in despair over relegation to Ligue 2.
The return match between the two teams was fraught with tension, as the stakes were qualification for the prestigious top division. After a 2-1 home victory in the first leg, the Verts had a slim lead to protect. However, the task proved daunting from the early minutes, with a red card issued to Pape Amadou Diallo from the Saint-Étienne side.
Despite this early setback, the Verts held firm, but Metz scored two quick goals in succession, casting doubt within the St. Étienne camp. Lamine Camara and Georges Mikautadze scored the goals for the hosts, forcing ASSE to react quickly. And react they did, with a crucial goal from Pétrot in the 35th minute, reigniting hope for Saint-Étienne supporters.
As regulation time drew to a close, ASSE found new life in extra time. Ibrahim Wadji scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute, thus sealing the victory and ensuring Saint-Étienne’s return to Ligue 1 with a cumulative score of 4-3 over the two matches.
This victory marks a turning point for AS Saint-Étienne, which returns to the French elite after two years spent in the trenches of the second division. Meanwhile, FC Metz, promoted only the previous season, must now face the reality of relegation to Ligue 2, a tough blow for the club and its supporters.
Apart from Metz, Lorient and Clermont are also forced to bid farewell to Ligue 1, returning to Ligue 2 after a tumultuous season. For Saint-Étienne, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in their quest for glory on French pitches.
