It’s Ascension Thursday for FC Metz! Les Grenats lost last season’s Ligue 1 relegation playoffs round to Saint-Etienne at home in extra time, but this time, Stéphane Le Mignan’s side inflicted Reims the same fate.

In a sold-out Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims came out of the blocks strongly. The hosts spurned a massive chance to open the scoring in the fifth minute. Defensive midfielder Mory Gbane had the goal at his mercy in the penalty box, but his tame shot lacked power to catch Pape Sy off guard. Metz came alive in the following minutes and even dominated possession, but they struggled to break open the hosts’ defense as Reims goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf was virtually untested.

The first half was of overall low quality. Both Reims and Metz took little risk in moving forward, given the high stakes. The crowd was only treated to one single shot on target in the first half, which was Gbane’s attempt. As for Metz, Grenats boasted an xG of 0.00.

The second half started how the first 45 minutes ended, with both teams making too many unforced errors. Reims eventually stepped up their efforts to dominate possession, and they were rewarded for it.

Amadou Koné threaded a line-cutting pass to Junya Ito in the penalty box. The Japanese international seemed to unintentionally deflect the ball into the path of the onrushing Martial Tia. The 18-year-old Malian midfielder kept his nerve and went for power to score Reims’ most important goal of the season. Tia only featured six times for the Champagne side this season, and he chose a relegation playoffs round to score his first senior goal!

Reims looked to have the hardest part wrapped up, mostly because Metz weren’t much of a threat. That proved to be true until the 78th minute. Left-back and club captain Mathieu Udol caught a loose pass from Valentin Atangana, dribbled past the Reims substitute before lashing an incredible left-footer that Yehvann Diouf could only slow down on his way to the top corner. It was Metz’s first shot of the night.

Udol’s stunner injected new life and belief into Metz, who did more than hold their ground to secure extra time. Both teams look knackered going into 30 more minutes of high-stakes football. Ito went close to restoring Reims’ lead, but his left-footer trickled just wide.

In the end, the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs round would be decided by Gauthier Hein’s magic touch. The former Auxerre midfielder remains clear-headed to sell Reims defenders a dummy in back-heeling the ball to Alpha Touré, whose powerful shot went beyond Yehvann Diouf’s reach. For the first time of the night, Metz went ahead in the tie.

Four minutes later, Hein called game with a moment of genius. With Reims bringing numbers out front to snatch an equalizer, they were left exposed on the counter.  Hein went for a clean run in Metz’s half. The attacking midfielder spotted Diouf way off his line and went for the long-range chip.

Reims were down and out, in their own backyard. For the third time in a row, the Ligue 2 side prevailed in the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs. Metz are back in the big time.

Tezz | Bastien Horse