It was an incredibly tense affair!
The suspense reached its peak during the crucial play-off match between Reims and Metz at the Auguste-Delaune stadium on Tuesday evening.
This fixture represented the final hurdle, with both teams vying for the last remaining place in Ligue 1 for the upcoming season.
Following a tightly contested first leg that concluded with a 1-1 draw, the return match proved to be equally balanced and hard-fought.
Reims managed to break the deadlock first in the 57th minute, courtesy of Martial Tia, who finished neatly after being expertly assisted by Ito.
However, Metz, having played this season in Ligue 2, demonstrated tremendous resilience and determination. Despite periods where Reims held the upper hand, Metz refused to yield, and Matthieu Udol found a vital equalizer in the 78th minute, bringing the score back to 1-1.
With the aggregate score deadlocked at 2-2 after the full 90 minutes, the match was forced into extra time.
It was during this additional period that Metz found the decisive edge. Alpha Touré scored their second goal in the 110th minute, putting them on the cusp of promotion. Gauthier Hein then sealed the victory and confirmed the Grenats` return to the top flight with a magnificent third goal, executing an unforgettable lob to cap off a thrilling contest.
What a truly sensational match and a remarkable achievement for Metz!
