Saint-Etienne, the ten-time French champions, have secured a return to Ligue 1 after a dramatic relegation/promotion playoff win against Metz, who will now drop to the second division.
The second leg of the playoff ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time, ensuring Saint-Etienne's promotion with a 4-3 aggregate victory, following their 2-1 win in the first leg on Thursday.
The decisive moment came in the 117th minute when Ibrahima Wadji scored from close range, capitalizing on Saint-Etienne's numerical advantage after Papa Diallo of Metz received an early red card.
Two years after a tumultuous relegation, Saint-Etienne finished third in Ligue 2 this season, securing their chance in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Metz, who finished third from bottom in Ligue 1, faced their seventh relegation from the top flight since 2000.
This playoff win marks a significant turnaround for Saint-Etienne as they prepare to compete in France's top football league once again.
