Saint-Étienne secures Ligue 1 playoff spot after dramatic penalty shootout win

After a rollercoaster penalty shootout, Saint-Étienne booked their spot in the Ligue 1 promotion playoff, ending Rodez’s unbeaten streak in the process. The match at Geoffroy-Guichard ended 0-0 in regulation and extra time, with the home side prevailing 7-6 from the spot.

Brice Maubleu, brought on specifically for the shootout by manager Philippe Montanier, made four crucial saves to secure the victory. Though he missed his own attempt, his heroics kept Rodez at bay and handed Saint-Étienne a lifeline in their bid to return to France’s top flight.

Rodez’s near-miss and Saint-Étienne’s resilience

Just three days prior, Rodez had defeated Le Red Star 3-2, extending their 21-game unbeaten run. However, their quest for a Ligue 1 playoff spot came to an abrupt halt at Geoffroy-Guichard. While Saint-Étienne struggled to create clear chances early on, Wilitty Younoussa’s deflected effort rattled the crossbar, and Rodez squandered a golden opportunity in stoppage time.

Saint-Étienne’s victory marked their first penalty shootout win in a decade, a drought that stretched back to their 2016 Coupe de France triumph over Raon-l’Étape. The intensity of the moment was palpable as Geoffroy-Guichard erupted in celebration after Maubleu’s final save.

A familiar path to redemption

This wasn’t the first time Saint-Étienne had denied a Ligue 2 side a playoff spot. In 2024, they defeated Metz in a dramatic playoff decider to secure promotion to Ligue 1, only to suffer immediate relegation. Now, they face a second chance to climb back up—their opponent will be the 16th-placed side in Ligue 1, to be determined after the 34th matchday.

Montanier’s tactical masterstroke

The turning point came when Philippe Montanier opted to replace Gautier Larsonneur with specialist goalkeeper Maubleu for the shootout. Larsonneur’s own penalty miss handed the advantage to Rodez, but Maubleu’s composure under pressure turned the tide. “I knew it was my responsibility to stop them,” he said. “Missing my kick was tough, but I had to make amends—and Mika Nadé finished the job.”