Rouen and Laval Even on Points

Trailing Laval at halftime, FCR equalized early in the second half and can still hope for promotion ahead of Sunday’s second-leg playoff.

The start of the match was evenly matched. After Bianda’s long-range shot (4’), Rouen responded with several corner kicks in quick succession. Then, on another attempt from the edge of the box, Mandouki found the back of Maraval’s net (0-1, 18’). FCR reacted and created two good chances to equalize. First, Cartillier, on a pass from Kérouédan, saw his shot deflected by Samassa (21’). Shortly after, Bassin, well-placed in the six-yard box by Mendy, shot over the bar (24′). FCR failed to find the net in the first half.

After the break, the Red Devils quickly got back on the scoreboard! Kérouédan won a penalty, and Fuss converted it perfectly (1-1, 48′). After a chance for Houdayer (wide, 53′), the rest of the second half was evenly matched. And with no clear-cut chances for either side. Kouassi, however, missed the target for Laval (81′), while Fuss failed to get into a good position on a counterattack. The score remained level until the final whistle (1-1). Everything is still possible for the Red Devils ahead of Sunday’s return leg in Laval!

Match Report
Friday, May 15, 2026
FC Rouen 1899 – Stade Lavallois: 1-1 (0-1)
Referee: Mr. Leleu.
Attendance: 7,698 spectators.

Goalscorer for Rouen: Fuss (48′, pen); for Laval: Mandouki (18′).
Yellow cards for Rouen: Bezzekhami (30′), Cartillier (76′); for Laval: Bane (21′), Ouaneh (55′), Sellouki (62′), Thomas (85′).

FC Rouen 1899: Axel Maraval – Dany Goprou, Sofyane Bouzamoucha, Formose Mendy – Valentin Fuss (Egny, 83′), Mustapha Benzia (Genton, 62′), Omar Bezzekhami (Ba-Sy, 62′), Clément Bassin (cap.) – Alan Kérouédan (Mbock, 74′), Idrissa Seydi (Faye, 74′), Antonin Cartillier.

Substitutes: Axel Temperton, Melvin Borne, El Hadji Guiry Egny, Enzo Genton, Amadou Ba-Sy, Sérigne Faye, Jason Mbock.

Coach: Régis Brouard.

Laval: Mamadou Samassa – Peter Ouaneh, Sidi Bane, William Bianda – Owen Kouassi, Cyril Mandouki, Titouan Thomas (Montet, 92′), Sam Sanna (cap.) – Malik Sellouki (Clavreul, 75′), Mamadou Camara (Maggiotti, 92′), Mathys Houdayer (Mbayo, 75′).

Substitutes: Maxime Hautbois, Matteo Commaret, Yohan Tavares, Julien Maggiotti, Dylan Mbayo, Enzo Montet, Ethan Clavreul.

Coach: Olivier Frapolli.