Dunkerque's Thrilling Ligue 2 Upset: A Nail-Biter Against Guingamp
Okay, so picture this: April 7th, 2025. The Stade Marcel Tribut is buzzing with around 5,000 fans, all fired up for a massive Ligue 2 clash between USL Dunkerque and En Avant Guingamp. Both teams were neck and neck on 48 points going into the game – a real six-pointer, you know? And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. Dunkerque pulled off a stunning 3-1 victory, a result that seriously boosted their playoff hopes.
A Tense First Half – Guingamp Dominates, But Dunkerque Holds Firm
Guingamp were all over Dunkerque in the first half. They had 64% possession – it felt like they were camped out in Dunkerque's half. But despite all that pressure, they couldn't find the back of the net. Dunkerque's keeper, Ewen Jaouen – making his first Ligue 2 start since October 2024 – was incredible! He pulled off an amazing save in the 12th minute to deny Théo Le Bris. Honestly, who saw that coming? The half ended 0-0, leaving everything to play for.
Dunkerque's Second-Half Blitz
The second half was a completely different story. Dunkerque came out with so much more energy. Gessime Yassine broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with a brilliant finish after a lightning-fast counter-attack – beautifully set up by Felipe Abner. Then, things got even more interesting. Guingamp’s Donatien Gomis got a red card in the 75th minute – leaving them a man down. You know how sometimes things just spiral? That's exactly what happened. Abdoullah Ba made it 2-0 seven minutes later with a screamer from outside the box – what a strike!
Late Drama, Last-Minute Goals and Dunkerque's Victory
The drama wasn't over yet. Guingamp got a penalty in the 87th minute. Jaouen, the hero of the hour, stepped up again and saved Sabri Guendouz's penalty! It was incredible! Then, in injury time, Guingamp scored an own goal – a real sucker punch for Dunkerque. But, even better, Marco Essimi scored a minute later, after a defensive mishap by Guingamp – sealing the 3-1 win for Dunkerque! It was pure pandemonium!
The Aftermath: A Huge Boost for Dunkerque
Dunkerque's coach, Luis Castro, was understandably delighted. He praised his team's resilience and their ability to stick to the game plan. Guingamp's coach, Sylvain Ripoll, was disappointed but remained optimistic. This win puts Dunkerque in fourth place, three points ahead of Guingamp, with five games left to play. The race for promotion is still incredibly tight, but this victory was a massive step forward for Dunkerque. They've given themselves a real fighting chance.
