Red Star FC falls at the gates of a feat: Rodez AF shatters the dream of promotion at Bauer

On an electric evening at Stade Bauer, Red Star FC saw its hopes of promotion to Ligue 1 slip away. Facing Rodez AF in the play-offs, the Audoniens were defeated in a spectacular match (3–2), bringing an end to a season full of promise.

In a packed Bauer with around 4,500 spectators, the atmosphere had all the ingredients of a big night. Tension, hope, passion: everything was there to push the Red Star players toward a historic achievement. But despite a strong start and clear chances, the dream was broken in the second half.

A strong start from Red Star

Red Star FC quickly took control of this decisive match. The opening minutes were dominated by the home side, driven by intense pressing and a clear desire to set the tempo.

The reward came quickly: K. Cabral opened the scoring in the 15th minute, confirming their dominance. More ambitious, the Audoniens seemed to have taken the psychological edge over their opponents.

But Rodez AF reacted. In the 29th minute, I. Baldé brought both teams level, taking advantage of a defensive lapse.

A turning-point match

After the break, Red Star FC resumed their forward momentum. Driven by a roaring crowd, J. Escartin restored the lead in the 61st minute. Bauer erupted, and promotion to Ligue 1 once again seemed possible.

But the match suddenly swung. Rodez AF, clinical and efficient, exploited the spaces left by an increasingly exposed home side.

In the space of two minutes, everything collapsed: M. Magnin equalised in the 67th minute, and W. Younoussa gave Rodez the lead two minutes later (3–2).

A double blow that the Red Star players, despite fighting until the end, were unable to overcome.

A season on the edge of history

With this defeat, Red Star FC finishes the season in fourth place and misses out on a historic promotion to Ligue 1 — an achievement that would have marked a major turning point for the club, absent from the top flight for around fifty years.

Despite the disappointment, the club’s future appears to remain on an ambitious path. Red Star can rely in particular on the upcoming opening of the new Rino Della Negra stand, intended to host ultras and further strengthen the club’s identity.

In addition, work on the presidential stand — the last remaining unfinished section — is scheduled to begin this summer, a strong signal for a club undergoing continuous development.