Taking advantage of the Girondins de Bordeaux defeat, Sochaux became the new Ligue 2 runners-up by narrowly beating Rodez on matchday 16. The case was much easier for Dijon, who crushed Laval. Elsewhere, Paris FC dominated Pau by a narrow margin, while Grenoble were surprised by Quevilly-Rouen.
By Florian Cadu, in Bastia
Changed
Pau-Paris 0-1 
But : Guilavogui (25and)
Boom, Morgan Guilavogui’s missile from a free kick after half an hour of play! It was enough for Paris FC to win on the Pau lawn. On the shortest of margins, the men of the capital thus provided the essentials. Small disappointment instead for the Bernese club, remained in seven matches in a row without defeat in all competitions. But, after all, it’s the nature of series to stop at a certain point…
Nimes 1-2 Guingamp 
Goal: Tchokounte (30andsp) for Nîmes // Livolant (22andsp) and Courtet (92andsp) for Guingamp
A penalty everywhere, ball in the center. In the south, Nîmes and Guingamp considered parting as good friends by imitating the Argentines or Mbappé. The goalkeepers are nothing like Emiliano Martínez as Malik Tchokounté and Jérémy Livolant succeeded in their attempts. Finally, Gaëtan Courtet gave a precious success to the people of him … by transforming a new penis. The third, like in a World Cup final.
Metz-Niort 0-0 
White score between Metz and the Niortais chamois. You must digest Christmas meals well, eh.
Dijon 5-0 Laval 
Goal: Cros (27andCSC), Soumaré (30andand 88and SP), Le Bihan (37and) and Silva (63and)
And bam, a little hand ! Yet not necessarily the favorite in this duel, Dijon didn’t go overboard to defeat Laval and bend the game in less than 40 minutes. Time for Pierrick Cros to score against his own team, for Bryan Soumaré to make a foxing shot from the surfaces and for Mickaël Le Bihan to bring home the point with a fine shot. After the break, Xande Silva also took part in the celebrations and Soumaré scored twice from the penalty spot. The locals, sixteenth with three points ahead of the first relegated, therefore give themselves some air while the guests remain stuck in the underbelly of the standings. The difference in motivation, guys!
Bastia-Caen 1-0 
Goal: Bai (90and+1)
Expulsion : Baï (90and+3) for Sportsmen
A game behind closed doors at Furiani? An advantage for Caen, normally, and a disadvantage for the atmosphere or the show. With the game over, Basta was therefore initially satisfied with a draw to gnaw a bit of ground on maintenance. After all, the red zone was only four units away. For his part, Malherbe missed the chance to get back on the podium, above all because Benjamin Jeannot had his penalty attempt rejected by Johnny Placide (78and). And then, in extra time, Yohan Baï (who will end up being expelled, due to a clumsy tackle on Deminguet) made the courses present scream in front of the TV or computer. It’s good, that!
Sochaux-Rodez 1-0 
But: Kalulu (73and)
The good deal for the Sochaux! Long held in check by Rodez, the new Ligue 2 runners-up managed to break through the Aveyron defense fifteen minutes from time thanks to Aldo Kalulu. Not undeserved, as the Cubs struck out just 15 times and hogged the ball about 65% of the time. The mission was too complicated for his opponent, still struggling at the bottom of the leaderboard. However, the championship is far from over.
Quevilly-Rouen-Grenoble 2-0 
Goal: Cisse (65and) and Mafouta (69and)
A piece of body that drags, a slight deviation and it’s all a game that rocks. Here, it is in favor of Quevilly-Rouen that the coin fell: to 65and minute, Cissé’s attempt was narrowly missed and the nets rattled for Monsieur’s first goal among the professionals. Disgusted, Grenoble then scored again ahead of a volley from Mafouta which hit the crossbar before coming back. Grenoble could have passed in front of the Girondins de Bordeaux, beaten shortly before by Le Havre, but it’s really QRM that blasts. Because an eleventh place isn’t that bad.
Valencia 1-1 Amiens 
Goal: Picouleau (22and) for Valenciennes // Kakuta (23and) for Amiens
A few tens of seconds, no more. This is when Valenciennes were ahead, after their dominance early in the match and Mathis Picouleau’s lead who cut in at the near post. Unfortunately for the VA, Amiens reacted quickly and Gaël Kakuta took advantage of a mistake from the northern rear to equalise. A draw that helps no one, but really no one.
By Florian Cadu, in Bastia
