Rodez Aveyron Football faced off against USL Dunkerque on March 10, 2025, at the Stade Paul Lignon, and what transpired was nothing short of sensational. Coming off recent inconsistent performances, Rodez wasn’t expected to shine, but they turned the tables on Dunkerque, delivering a crushing 5-1 defeat.
Dunkerque entered the match with confidence, currently sitting fourth in Ligue 2 and pushing for promotion. They struck first as Nathan Skyttä scored just 10 minutes in, putting Rodez on the back foot before the home crowd had settled. The Finnish forward capitalized on some scrappy defending, sending the ball home after it ricocheted off the post to make it 1-0.
But things took a drastic turn when Dunkerque's Enzo Bardeli was shown his marching orders for a reckless tackle on Wilitty Younoussa just before the half-hour mark. The red card left Dunkerque battling with ten men, and they struggled to maintain their early intensity.
Rodez, who had been teetering near the relegation zone, grasped this opportunity. The team, managed by Didier Santini, showed resilience and determination, mounting pressure on the visiting side. Two minutes after the halftime restart, Tawfik Bentayeb leveled the match, capitalizing on slight jitters within the Dunkerque defense.
Quickly, momentum shifted. Bentayeb scored again just two minutes later, taking advantage of another defensive slip and sending the home crowd roaring. The goals continued to flow when Timothée Nkada added one more for Rodez, hammering the ball past the Dunkerque goalkeeper with precision, making it 3-1.
Rodez wasn’t done yet. To round off their explosive second half, Dereck Mazou-Sacko found the net to extend the lead to 4-1, and Waniss Taïbi finished the rout with a goal deep in stoppage time, causing the home stands to erupt.
This emphatic win was more than just points for Rodez; it was also psychological. With this victory, Rodez climbed to 14th place, accumulating 30 points, providing some breathing room above the relegation playoff zone, currently occupied by Clermont. They are now five points ahead of the team sitting just below them, which was certainly not the narrative prior to the match.
Meanwhile, Dunkerque is left to ponder their situation. After their impressive run of six matches without defeat, the team was pulled back to earth, remaining on 48 points, just two short of third-placed FC Metz. They had hoped to leap back onto the podium with victory over the struggling Rodez side but will instead need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming fixtures, including their important clash against Metz coming up next.
The clash this Monday was labeled as pivotal for both teams, though the outcome diverged sharply from all predictions. Rodez not only earned three points but also lifted their morale as they face the last stretch of the season fighting to avoid relegation. A remarkable comeback, Rodez became defenders of their destiny, showcasing determination and meet the pressure of playing for survival head-on.
What’s next for the teams? Rodez will continue their battle for safety with the following fixtures lined up: they face Annecy on March 14, 2025, before heading off to play against the Red Star. These games will be those of intense scrutiny as the stakes get higher, and every pointer counts toward the survival of the club.
Dunkerque will also be tested as they travel to Metz, needing nothing short of victory to reinstate their ambitions of climbing the ranks for promotion.
With nine games still left to play this season, every match will be significant. The fight for Ligue 2 remains fierce, and with the rollercoaster of emotions displayed, it’s clear the championship can shift quickly.