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Ligue 2 Play-offs: Metz edge Dunkerque with chaotic late winner
FC Metz are one step away from a return to Ligue 1 McDonald's. In a tense and scrappy affair against a brave Dunkerque side, the Grenats had to wait until deep into stoppage time to finally break the deadlock. A bizarre own goal decided it (1–0), securing Metz a spot in the two-legged play-off against Ligue 1’s 16th-placed team.
A brutal ending for a spirited Dunkerque
Just three days after eliminating Guingamp in the first play-off (1–0), Dunkerque travelled to Saint-Symphorien hoping for another upset. Luís Castro’s men defended resolutely and kept their composure throughout a cagey first half. Metz, while dominant in possession, lacked a cutting edge, with only half-chances from Hein and Mboula to show for it.
The match took a decisive turn just before the hour mark. At 58 minutes, Dunkerque captain Aymen Sanganté was sent off following a VAR review for a handball as the last man. It left his team a man down for the final half-hour and shifted the game’s momentum firmly in Metz’s favour.
A chaotic winner deep into stoppage time
Despite their numerical advantage, Metz struggled to carve out real openings. Dunkerque defended with desperation and heart, but in the 94th minute, their luck ran out. Van den Kerkhof sent in a hard low cross from the right, which deflected off two Dunkerque players and looped over a helpless Jaouen. A fluke of a goal—but a priceless one.
Just moments later, Jaouen produced a brilliant save to deny Diallo from making it 2–0, but the damage was done. Metz had struck when it mattered most.
"We went for victory right to the very end," smiled Gauthier Hein, speaking to Bein Sports. "Success finally came our way after a number of disasters at the end of games this season. I don't know if we deserved to win, but the important thing was to get through."
