FC Nantes suffered a humiliating 5-2 home defeat against Rodez AF in Ligue 2 on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of last season, Nantes have lost all three of their opening league fixtures and remain rooted to the bottom of the Ligue 2 standings with zero points.
The match marked the first-ever meeting between Nantes and Rodez in Ligue 2. The hosts initially produced an encouraging start, taking the lead twice in the opening half-hour through Killian Corredor.
Corredor, an Aveyron native and former Rodez player, opened the scoring in the fourth minute. After Rodez equalized through Ibrahima Balde in the 15th minute, Corredor restored Nantes' lead in the 24th minute.
Nantes, managed by Michel Der Zakarian, had entered the match seeking their first win after opening the season with a 1-0 defeat to Red Star and a 2-1 loss at Laval. Known as Les Canaris, the yellow-and-green club play their home fixtures at Stade de la Beaujoire in western France.
Rodez comeback and second-half surge
Rodez completely overwhelmed the hosts after halftime. Ryan Ponti put the visiting team ahead in the 47th minute, setting up a dominant second-half display.
Balde extended Rodez's lead by completing a hat-trick with two rapid goals in the 71st and 72nd minutes. Nantes suffered further dismay in stoppage time when Saidou Sow turned the ball into his own net in the 97th minute, prompting loud jeers from home supporters at the final whistle.
Rodez, who missed out on Ligue 1 promotion last season after losing to Saint-Etienne on penalties in the play-offs, posted a celebratory message on social media following their historic victory. The result lifted the Aveyron side to third place in the table on six points.
Ligue 2 standings and weekend fixtures
Metz and Annecy sit just behind Rodez on five points. Metz were held to a 1-1 draw by Laval at Stade Saint-Symphorien on Saturday afternoon.
Julien Maggiotti scored a 49th-minute penalty to put Laval ahead. Metz equalized in the 78th minute when Pape Moussa Fall scored off an assist from new signing Teji Savanier, who had entered as a substitute five minutes earlier. Metz preserved the draw despite defender Idris Mohamed receiving a red card in the 83rd minute.
Montpellier top the Ligue 2 table with seven points following a 1-0 away win at Dunkerque on Friday. Saint-Etienne host Grenoble on Saturday evening, where a draw will be enough for them to take over first place.
