Brest and Lille Grind Out Crucial Ligue 1 Victories on a Dramatic Sunday
A late winner in Strasbourg and a tense 10-man triumph for Lille in Le Havre headlined a dramatic evening in Ligue 1 as Matchday 14 delivered intensity, controversy and decisive quality across France.
Brest and Lille walked away with priceless victories on a gripping Sunday night in Ligue 1, each securing three points through late, hard-earned goals that could prove pivotal in the shaping of their seasons.
At the Stade de la Meinau, Brest produced a resilient comeback to beat Strasbourg 2–1, overturning an early setback with grit, control and ruthless efficiency in the final third.
Strasbourg struck first in the 11th minute, with Sam Amo-Ameyaw finishing expertly from close range after timing his run perfectly to meet a whipped Ben Chilwell cross. The early strike injected energy into the hosts, but Brest maintained patience and gradually asserted themselves after the break.
Their breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Romain Del Castillo stepped up to bury a calm left-footed penalty into the bottom corner, restoring parity and shifting momentum firmly in Brest’s favour.
The winner arrived in the 82nd minute — and in spectacular style. Mama Balde worked the ball into Hugo Magnetti, who took aim from outside the box and unleashed a stunning right-footed strike into the top corner. It was a moment of pure class, sealing a 2–1 victory that lifted Brest’s spirits and silenced the Strasbourg crowd.
Over at the Stade Oceane, Lille were forced into a very different kind of battle — one defined by discipline, resilience and a flash of late brilliance.
Le Havre and Lille were locked in a cagey stalemate throughout the first half, with neither side able to carve out a clear advantage. But the match changed dramatically in the 51st minute when Lille’s young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was shown a straight red card, leaving Les Dogues to navigate almost an entire half with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Lille remained organised and surprisingly threatening on the break. Their perseverance was rewarded just two minutes from time.
Ethan Mbappe — the youngest of the Mbappe brothers — produced a moment of composure beyond his years, drifting into space before squaring a perfect ball across the face of goal. Hamza Igamane read it brilliantly and poked home from close range, giving Lille a priceless 1–0 victory in the 88th minute.
It was a remarkable result given the circumstances, preserving Lille’s momentum in the league and highlighting the growing influence of their rising young talents.
Both Brest and Lille showcased their resilience, adaptability and winning mentality — qualities that could shape the narrative of their campaigns as the Ligue 1 season intensifies.
