FC Metz Earns Promotion to Ligue 1 After Impressive Extra Time Win

Neither side was able to break the scoreless deadlock in the first half, the two sides found the back of the net in the second half. Metz didn't get off to the start they wanted, with the home side opening the scoring thanks to a goal from Ange Tia in the 57th minute.

Tia started the move by capitalizing on a poor touch from Junya Ito, winning the ball back and blasting it past Pape Sy from close range.

Reims looked poised to remain in Ligue 1 McDonald's, but the situation unraveled for Samba Diawara and his team, who conceded three unanswered goals that would doom their chances of staying in France's top flight.

Matthieu Udol leveled the scoring in the 78th minute for the away side. The Metz captain did it all on that play—after misplacing a pass, he kept going, won the ball back, and fired a strike that took a slight deflection off Hiroki Sekine, leaving Yehvann Diouf with no chance to stop it.

After neither side could break the one-all deadlock, the contest went to extra time, and Metz secured their right to play in Ligue 1 McDonald's with two goals in the 30 minutes.

Udol found Gauthier Hein cutting inside, and the former Auxerre man showed great awareness with a clever backheel to the young Alpha Touré, who kept his composure and fired past Diouf with power.

Metz sealed the win in the 114th minute when Hein spotted Diouf off his line and delivered a perfectly weighted lob from 40 meters, sending the ball soaring into the back of the net.

After the match, manager Stéphane Le Mignan spoke to beIN Sports to share his thoughts on what the team has accomplished in winning promotion to Ligue 1 McDonald's as they join FC Lorient and Paris FC as newcomers next season.

"They did it. We gave it our all with heart—everything wasn’t perfect, but these moments are unique. I’m very proud tonight. We’ve been working for a long time; the season has been very long. There are no words. These are extraordinary moments with a group of guys who found unexpected strength. This is a moment that will be unforgettable."

The Stat: 3

After Metz's win over Reims, the second-division club won the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff against the top-tier team for the third consecutive time (Auxerre vs. Saint-Etienne in 2022, Saint-Etienne vs. Metz in 2024, Metz vs. Reims in 2025).

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