Rodez claimed a emphatic 2-5 victory over Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday afternoon, a result that leaves the hosts rooted to 18th place in Ligue 2's Regular Season table. The visitors took control early, though Nantes had their moments, and by the final whistle the gap between the sides was as stark as their league positions. To be fair, the hosts started brighter, but Rodez's efficiency proved decisive.
K. Corredor gave Nantes hope with two first-half strikes, opening the scoring in the fourth minute and adding a second just before the interval. I. Balde responded for Rodez before half-time, and the visitors then took charge after the break. R. Ponti found the net in the 47th minute, and Balde completed his hat-trick with two quick goals in the 71st and 72nd minutes, putting the match beyond doubt.
Nantes' evening deteriorated further when S. Sow turned the ball into his own net twice in stoppage time, the second coming in the 90+5 minute. The hosts managed 89 attacks compared to Rodez's 92, but possession alone meant little. Their 59 per cent of the ball yielded just two goals, while Rodez, with less than a third of possession, converted their chances ruthlessly.
The statistics tell a story of wasted opportunity. Nantes registered six shots on target with 43 per cent accuracy, yet could only find the net twice. Rodez were less precise at 31 per cent but still managed five goals, a difference that speaks to clinical finishing rather than volume. The hosts created three big chances; the visitors managed two, but those were enough.
The result moves Rodez up to fourth place on seven points from four games, while Nantes remain winless with a single point from four matches. The visitors have now won two and drawn one, showing a steadier hand in these opening rounds. For Nantes, the defeat extends a run of three losses in a row and leaves them searching for answers.