Dunkerque has solidified its place among the top teams of Ligue 2 after defeating Caen 3-1 on Monday evening at the Stade Marcel-Tribut. Throughout the match, they displayed dominance, with goals from Yacine Bammou, Vincent Sasso, and Gaëtan Courtet leading to their significant victory.
The match, part of the 16th round of Ligue 2, showcased Dunkerque's impressive form as they chase promotion to Ligue 1. The win puts them level on points with the Paris FC and just two points behind leaders Lorient, as they prepare to take advantage of the festive break.
Dunkerque entered the game hoping to capitalize on their home ground advantage and maintain momentum. The opening half saw both teams engaged but unable to convert their opportunities. Dunkerque’s attackers, like Bammou and Skyttä, faced challenges from Caen's defense, as the teams were caught offside multiple times — Dunkerque having six instances and Caen four. Despite the offensive flurry, no goals were scored before halftime.
Caen struggled to adapt their game plan, relying heavily on long balls but found success hard to come by. Their best chance came just before the break when Tidiam Gomis got behind Dunkerque's defense only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Adrian Ortola, who made a fine save. Meanwhile, captain Opa Sangante made another desperate defensive play to prevent Alexandre Mendy from capitalizing on the rebound.
The second half began with heightened urgency as both teams aimed to seize control. Dunkerque found their breakthrough just after the 53rd minute. Bammou, receiving a deft header from Maxence Rivera, unleashed his shot which took a deflection off a Caen defender before heading past keeper Yannis Clémentia, putting Dunkerque up 1-0.
The home side’s momentum surged, and they soon doubled their lead. Following sustained pressure, Vincent Sasso connected with Bardeli’s corner kick, scoring from close range at the 65-minute mark. The fans erupted, their chants echoing through the stadium, rallying behind their team with hopes of promotion.
Yet, Caen, determined not to go down without a fight, made their mark when Gabin Tomé, fresh off the bench, scored with a well-hit volley from just outside the penalty box, narrowing Dunkerque's lead to 2-1 at the 73rd minute.
Despite the goal, Dunkerque remained unfazed. Just minutes later, they were awarded a penalty following a foul by Quentin Lecoeuche on Marco Essimi. Gaëtan Courtet, who had been substituted on shortly before, stepped up to confidently convert from the spot at the 83rd minute, pushing the lead back to 3-1.
The match ended with Dunkerque securing their tenth win of the season, keeping them within reach of Ligue 1 and leaving Caen struggling, still positioned within the relegation play-off zone. This victory highlighted Dunkerque's resilience and their ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially following Tomé's goal, which they swiftly countered with their own.
Dunkerque fans, basking in their team’s success, could be heard celebrating and chanting, "Et cette année, on va monter !" (Translation: “And this year, we are going up!”), illustrating the optimism surrounding the club. Coach Luis Castro’s squad had endured previous difficult seasons but is now on track for impressive results.
Looking ahead, Dunkerque will travel to Guingamp after the New Year, eyeing continued success as they aim for higher league aspirations. With the winter break upon them, the feeling around Dunkerque is one of hope and excitement, reflecting their performances on the pitch and the enthusiastic support from their fans.
