Ligue 1 Semi-finals
Saint Etienne 0 - 0 PEN 7-6 Rodez
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Saint Etienne
Rodez
Match Events
Saint Etienne
Rodez
HT
60' ↓ J. Duffus ↑A. Moueffek
64' A. Kante
↓ R. Ponti ↑E. Jean-Lambert 67'
71' ↓ J. Le Cardinal ↑M. Nade
71' ↓ I. Cardona ↑D. N'Guessan
↓ I. Balde ↑K. Nagera 72'
↓ J. Mendes ↑M. Saka 72'
↓ W. Younoussa ↑O. Joly 79'
↓ A. Trouillet ↑S. Benchamma 79'
S. Benchamma 83'
90'+2 ↓ G. Larsonneur ↑B. Maubleu
90'+2 ↓ L. Gadegbeku ↑J. Ferreira
M. Magnin 120'+1
120'+1 Z. Davitashvili
R. Lipinski 120'+2
120'+2 L. Stassin
E. Jean-Lambert 120'+3
120'+3 B. Old
M. Saka 120'+4
120'+4 J. Ferreira
T. Arconte 120'+5
120'+5 A. Moueffek
K. Nagera 120'+6
120'+6 D. N'Guessan
S. Benchamma 120'+7
120'+7 A. Kante
O. Joly 120'+8
120'+8 M. Bernauer
N. Galves 120'+9
120'+9 B. Maubleu
L. Laurent 120'+10
120'+10 M. Nade
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Saint Etienne
Goalkeepers
Gautier Larsonneur
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Kevin Pedro 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julien Le Cardinal 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Maxime Bernauer 
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7.7
Rating
Benjamin Old
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.7
Rating
Midfielders
Luan Gadegbeku 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Abdoulaye Kanté
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7.3
Rating
Irvin Cardona
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Zuriko Davitashvili
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7.3
Rating
Joshua Duffus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Forwards
Lucas Stassin
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.9
Rating
BENCH
Brice Maubleu
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
0
Rating
Mickael Nade
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.7
Rating
João Ferreira
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
0
Rating
Dennis Appiah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aimen Moueffek
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6
Rating
Igor Miladinović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Djylian N'Guessan
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.6
Rating
Rodez
Goalkeepers
Quentin Braat
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Nolan Galves
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.9
Rating
Loni Laurent
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Mathis Magnin
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.2
Rating
Raphael Lipinski
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
Ryan Ponti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Midfielders
Jordan Mendes Correia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Alexis Trouillet
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Wilitty Younoussa
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Tairyk Arconte
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7.2
Rating
Ibrahima Baldé
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
BENCH
Enzo Crombez 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jean Lambert Evan's Allan
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.6
Rating
Mathis Saka
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.3
Rating
Octave Joly
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.7
Rating
Samy Benchama
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.3
Rating
Kenny Nagera
CLUTCH HERO
120
Goal Time
120
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.5
Rating
Corentin Issanchou Roubiou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Penalty Marathon at Stade Geoffroy Guichard Sends Saint Etienne to the Final
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 26/100. A grueling tactical stalemate ultimately rewarded the hosts' nerve in a dramatic shootout, sealing their spot in the showpiece final.
The Opening Act
With a spot in the final on the line, the sheer weight of the Stakes dictated the early tempo in this decisive knockout tie. Saint Etienne immediately dictated terms in front of a roaring, expectant home crowd at Stade Geoffroy Guichard, determined to impose their authority from the opening whistle. They dominated possession, holding an impressive 62% of the ball as they pinned the visitors deep into their own defensive third. A relentless wave of corner pressure—totaling 11 across the match, with eight falling to the hosts—suggested an early breakthrough was imminent. The movement was sharp, but the final pass often went astray in the crowded penalty area. Yet, Rodez embraced a highly disciplined defensive block, perfectly content to absorb the pressure, close the passing lanes, and frustrate the home side's playmakers at every turn.
The Tactical Pivot
As the match progressed into the second half, the Intensity of the physical battles entirely overshadowed the technical quality on the pitch. The contest turned into a rugged midfield arm-wrestle where neither side offered any quarter. Despite a frantic barrage of 24 combined shots, the shooting boots were largely left in the dressing room. Both teams snatched at their chances, rushing their efforts from outside the box rather than working clear openings. Only four efforts managed to test the goalkeepers all evening. Gautier Larsonneur in the Saint Etienne net and Lionel Mpasi for Rodez were rarely stretched beyond routine saves, each neutralizing the scarce on-target attempts with calm authority. This defensive stubbornness meant the Balance of power never truly shifted. The tactical stalemate neutralized the midfield creators, leading to an inevitable, agonizing, and scoreless conclusion at the end of regulation.
The Shootout Resolution
With neither side able to find a crucial winner in open play, this gripping semi-final clash required the ultimate, unforgiving test of nerves. The penalty shootout stretched deep into sudden death, turning the iconic stadium into a cauldron of unbearable anxiety for the home support. Step by grueling step, the takers delivered under immense pressure until Rodez finally blinked at the decisive moment. Saint Etienne clinched a monumental 7-6 shootout victory, sparking wild, cathartic celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. They survived the intense crucible of knockout football on a night when their usual attacking fluidity utterly failed them. This grueling victory proves they have the formidable mental grit required for a deep cup run. Now, a tantalizing final awaits them, and they will march forward knowing they can win even when not at their absolute best.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Saint Etienne's season?
Progressing to the final validates their season-long resilience. They now have a singular focus on lifting the trophy after surviving this grueling elimination test.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Grinding Toward the Final at Geoffroy-Guichard
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 33/100. The massive stakes of a semi-final clash cannot completely hide the glaring lack of creative quality expected on the pitch, making this a tough watch.
The Setup
Saint Etienne welcome Rodez to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on May 15, 2026, with a spot in the final hanging in the balance. Despite an off-the-charts Stakes rating that guarantees absolute intensity, the overall aesthetic promises to be grim. A dismal Form rating for both sides suggests a cautious, nervous affair where the fear of making a mistake outweighs attacking ambition. There is a serious lack of Stars to elevate the occasion, meaning this knockout tie will be decided by grit rather than glamour. Entering the match as heavy home favourites with a significant probability advantage, the pressure rests entirely on Saint Etienne's shoulders. A modest Balance score points to a disjointed game, though the visitors might look to Mathis Magnin for a rare spark in transition.
Key Battle
With no marquee playmakers available to unlock the game, this semi-final will be won in the trenches. Expect a bruising, physical encounter between the home side's imposing midfield block and a retreating visiting defence. Rodez will sit deep to frustrate, challenging the home attackers to break down a stubborn, robust wall without leaving spaces behind.
Our Prediction
Saint Etienne 1-0 Rodez. It will not be pretty. Expect a tense, scrappy match defined by fouls, constant stoppages, and aerial duels. The home side's sheer physical superiority should eventually wear down the visitors, allowing them to force a messy winner over the line via a set-piece.