Managed by former US national team manager Bob Bradley, French side Le Havre AC went into this weekend’s home Ligue 2 fixture against Bourg Peronnas needing third-place Metz to lose. The team also needed to equal Metz’ goal difference of seven higher than their own.
On Friday, Metz lost 1-0 to RC Lens, but Bradley’s team missed the third position in Ligue 2 after a 5-0 win over Bourg Peronnas. Unable to come up with another goal in the final minutes of the match to equal the goal differential, Bradley and Le Havre will remain in Ligue 2 next season.
The thrilling finish ended in disappointment for Bradley’s team, though. Le Havre forward Ghislain Gimbert headed in the fifth goal in the 82nd minute, launching a frantic push for a sixth goal that never came.
In Lens, Racing Club de Lens forward Lailana Nomenjahary slotted his team into the lead in just the 8th minute. Lens stayed on the front foot until the very end of the match, but the result ultimately didn’t affect Metz, who celebrated their promotion following the final whistle.