Laval 3-2 Grenoble: Ligue 2 2025-26 match report

Laval secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Grenoble at the Stade Francis Le Basser on Saturday, overcoming a deficit in the closing stages to claim all three points in a high-stakes Ligue 2 encounter. Olivier Frapolli’s side demonstrated significant tactical resilience, recovering from a sluggish start to dismantle a structured Grenoble defense in the final ten minutes of play.

The opening

Grenoble arrived in Laval with a clear mandate to control the midfield, utilizing a 4-4-1-1 formation that sought to stifle the hosts’ 4-2-3-1 setup. Franck Rizzetto’s tactical plan bore fruit early in the 13th minute. A well-constructed move involving Y. Diaby allowed J. Benet to find the back of the net, silencing the home crowd and forcing Laval to chase the game.

Laval struggled to find a rhythm for the remainder of the first half. Grenoble’s defensive discipline was evident, though the visitors did invite pressure by accumulating bookings; M. Xantippe was cautioned in the 21st minute for a challenge that disrupted Laval’s attempts to transition quickly. Despite the deficit, Laval’s structural integrity remained intact, and Frapolli used the halftime interval to adjust his attacking approach, introducing Owen Kouassi in place of T. Vargas to inject pace into the final third.

The decisive moment

The tactical shift paid immediate dividends shortly after the restart. In the 51st minute, M. Camara leveled the score, assisted by T. Vargas, who had been instrumental in the transition before his substitution. The goal shifted the momentum, though the game quickly devolved into a physical contest, with N. Zahui and T. Thomas both receiving yellow cards within a six-minute window.

The match appeared to be slipping away from the hosts in the 82nd minute when E. Maurin restored Grenoble’s lead. Assisted by L. Bernadou, Maurin’s strike seemed to deflate the home side, who had spent the better part of an hour fighting to stay in the contest. However, the final ten minutes proved to be a masterclass in persistence from Laval.

Trailing 2-1 with time running out, Frapolli utilized his bench effectively, bringing on fresh legs to overload the Grenoble penalty area. The pressure culminated in the 89th minute when M. Camara struck his second goal of the match, again set up by M. Tchokounté. With the momentum firmly in their favor and the stadium electrified, Laval pushed for a winner. Deep into stoppage time, M. Sellouki provided the decisive moment, finishing a pass from M. Tchokounté to complete a remarkable turnaround. The final minutes were frantic, marked by late cautions for M. Sellouki and M. Houdayer, but Laval successfully held their lead to secure the 3-2 result.

Looking ahead

This result serves as a significant boost for Laval, proving their capacity to recover from late-game setbacks and capitalize on momentum shifts. For Grenoble, the defeat will be a difficult pill to swallow, as the team’s inability to protect a late lead highlights a need for greater defensive concentration in the closing minutes of high-pressure fixtures.