In a night of high drama at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne's promotion dreams survived a penalty shootout for the ages, thanks largely to the inspired glovework of substitute goalkeeper Brice Maubleu. The veteran shot-stopper, introduced specifically for the shootout, saved four Rodez spot-kicks before watching teammate Mickaël Nadé stroking home the decisive penalty to send Les Verts through to the final round of the Ligue 2 promotion playoffs.
The match itself had been a cagey, hard-fought affair, reflecting the high stakes and the recent history between the two sides. Just three weeks earlier, Rodez had left Saint-Étienne with a 2-1 victory, a result that had added extra edge to this playoff encounter. The visitors arrived on the back of an extraordinary 21-match unbeaten run, a streak that had propelled them from mid-table obscurity into genuine contention for a place in Ligue 1.
Saint-Étienne, relegated from the top flight in 2022 after a turbulent campaign, have spent two seasons fighting to reclaim their place among France's elite. Finishing third in the regular season meant they earned the right to host this one-off tie, but the pressure of expectation was immense. The club's storied history—10 Ligue 1 titles, a record six Coupe de France trophies, and a passionate fanbase that considers top-flight football its birthright—only heightened the tension.
The contest unfolded as many had predicted: tight, tactically disciplined, and decided by fine margins. Neither side could break the deadlock in regulation or extra time, though both had chances. Maubleu, who watched from the bench as the first-choice goalkeeper handled regular play, was sent on in the final moments—a move specifically designed for the shootout psychology. The switch would prove a masterstroke, albeit one that followed a script nobody could have imagined.
The shootout began with Rodez converting their first two kicks, while Saint-Étienne matched them. Then Maubleu took over. The 34-year-old, who had spent most of his career in the lower divisions, read the intentions of three consecutive Rodez penalty takers, flinging himself to his left and right to deny them and swing the advantage firmly in Saint-Étienne's favour. When the hosts moved 4-2 ahead in the shootout, victory seemed certain.
Yet the drama was far from over. With the chance to seal the win, Maubleu himself stepped up to take the fifth Saint-Étienne penalty—a scenario rarely seen. His effort was saved by the Rodez goalkeeper, giving the visitors a lifeline. Suddenly the shootout was back on a knife-edge. Maubleu, having missed the chance to be the hero with his feet, now had to refocus and deliver with his hands. He did just that, producing yet another sprawling save to deny Rodez's next taker and keep Saint-Étienne alive.
The shootout continued into sudden death, the tension inside the stadium almost unbearable. Finally, with the score at 5-4, defender Mickaël Nadé calmly placed the ball into the corner, sending the home crowd into raptures and securing a 6-5 shootout victory. The bench emptied, players mobbed each other, and Maubleu, the reluctant hero, was at the centre of it all.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, Maubleu was both elated and reflective. "We are very happy to get through this round—it was a difficult match," he said. "Congratulations to Rodez, who haven't lost for a long time in open play. The shootout was incredible: we were leading 2-0, we had a match ball on the fifth, their goalkeeper saves it, then I have a match ball to score and win it for the team, and I miss. After that, I was obliged to stop the next one, and then Micka finished the job, so it's nothing but happiness." He described penalty shootouts as "a bit of a lottery," despite the team having practiced them during the week.
Defender Maxime Bernauer echoed the sense of relief and paid tribute to Maubleu's heroics. "It was a complicated match. We knew it would be difficult, and we didn't want to repeat the mistakes from three weeks ago," Bernauer explained. "They were on a 21-match unbeaten run, and three days ago they won, so we knew they'd be hungry. The most important thing was to qualify, to win. Brice saved three... four? He saved so many! It shows how important everyone in the squad is."
The immediate reward for Saint-Étienne is a place in the promotion playoff final, where they will face the 18th-placed team from Ligue 1 over two legs. Bernauer confirmed the team would be watching the weekend's matches closely to learn their opponent, with Le Havre, Auxerre, and Nice all possible adversaries. "It's been a long season, and it's not over yet. We need to rest well, watch the games, and be ready tomorrow. We don't have a preference," he said. The financial and sporting gulf between Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 makes these playoffs enormously significant—not just for the club's prestige but for its entire economic model.
For Rodez, the defeat will sting, but their remarkable run to the playoffs—built on a 21-game unbeaten streak—deserves immense credit. They pushed a historic club to the brink and will return to Ligue 2 next season with heads held high. For Saint-Étienne, the journey continues. Two more matches stand between them and a return to Ligue 1, and if Maubleu's heroics are any indication, this team has the resilience to complete the mission. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
