In a thrilling encounter at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, AS Saint-Etienne and Stade Brestois played to a dramatic 3-3 draw during the 29th round of Ligue 1 on April 13, 2025. The match showcased the resilience of both teams as they battled fiercely, with the lead changing hands multiple times.
Brest started strong, with their forward Ludovic Ajorque opening the scoring just six minutes into the match. He connected perfectly with a cross from Pereira Lage, finding the net at the near post to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. The momentum shifted quickly, however, as Saint-Etienne responded with determination. In the 17th minute, Stassin equalized for the home side, volleying a header past the goalkeeper after a well-placed corner from Nadé, hitting the crossbar before settling into the net.
Despite the equalizer, the match continued to favor Brest. The visitors capitalized on a defensive error from Saint-Etienne in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Gaultier Larsonneur misjudged a long free-kick. Sima seized the opportunity, heading the ball home to restore Brest's lead at 2-1. Yet, the Green Army, known for their fighting spirit, struck back. In the 34th minute, Cardona found the net with a deft header from a corner, leveling the score once again at 2-2.
The first half was not done delivering excitement. Just three minutes later, Ajorque scored his second goal of the match, heading in another free-kick from Pereira Lage, pushing Brest ahead 3-2 before halftime. The home crowd, passionate as ever, urged their team on as they entered the break trailing by a single goal.
As the second half unfolded, both teams continued to display their attacking prowess. Saint-Etienne, fighting to escape the relegation zone, pushed hard to find an equalizer. The pressure paid off in the 70th minute when Cardona completed his brace, scoring a superb lobbed shot over the goalkeeper following a long ball from Florian Tardieu, bringing the score to 3-3.
In the closing stages, the tension mounted as both teams had chances to secure a late winner. Davitashvili came agonizingly close for Saint-Etienne, hitting the crossbar with a powerful header. On the other end, Larsonneur was forced into action, making a crucial save from a shot by Mahdi Camara that could have given Brest a fourth goal.
Throughout the match, the statistics reflected the competitive nature of the game. Brest held 58% possession but faced 8 fouls from the home side, while Saint-Etienne managed to create more shots on target with 6 attempts compared to Brest's 4. The match was a testament to the fighting spirit of both teams, particularly Saint-Etienne, who, despite their struggles this season, showed resilience and determination.
After the game, Ajorque expressed his thoughts, saying, "We came here to win, and while we are disappointed not to take all three points, we showed our quality. We need to build on this performance going forward." Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne's coach emphasized the importance of the draw, noting, "Every point counts in our battle for survival. The players showed great heart today, and we will take this momentum into our next matches."
With this draw, Saint-Etienne remains in the relegation zone, sitting second to last in the standings with 23 points, struggling to find form as they have only won one of their last twelve matches. On the other hand, Brest sits comfortably in eighth place with 43 points, still in contention for European qualification.
Looking ahead, both teams will face challenging fixtures as the season approaches its climax. Saint-Etienne will need to rally their spirits as they prepare to face tougher opponents in the coming weeks, while Brest aims to maintain their momentum and push for a spot in European competitions.
This match was broadcast live on DAZN, capturing the excitement of Ligue 1 football and the passionate support of both sets of fans. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with chants echoing throughout, showcasing the unwavering dedication of the supporters.
As the league continues, every match will be crucial for both teams. For Saint-Etienne, the fight for survival is on, while Brest aims to solidify their place in the upper half of the table and perhaps secure a European berth. The drama of Ligue 1 football is far from over, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.
