Arouna Sangante struck deep into injury time to hand Le Havre a crucial 2-1 away win over Auxerre on Sunday, a result that significantly bolsters their hopes of avoiding relegation with just two matches left in the Ligue 1 season.
The Senegalese defender rose to the occasion at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, scoring his third goal in just 14 appearances this campaign, and delivering three precious points in a tense affair that could have lasting consequences in the bottom half of the table.
His late heroics now leave Saint-Étienne in an increasingly perilous position, with Le Havre clawing their way out of immediate danger and keeping their play-off hopes very much alive.
Speaking after the match, Sangante reflected on the magnitude of the moment. “Three points secured. Three points that are good for the future,” he said in the post-match mixed zone, visibly relieved by the outcome. “We didn’t have many cards left. This goal is a relief.”
The captain’s calm and leadership on the pitch were evident throughout the match, but it was his decisive contribution at the death that sealed the deal for his side. In a video shared by the club on its official website, Sangante elaborated further on the team’s mindset heading into this must-win encounter.
“Even a draw wasn’t enough for us,” he stated. “We needed this victory, without messing around and with control. A win that’s not only good for the standings but also for our morale.”
The three points move Le Havre closer to safety, though Sangante was clear-eyed about the work still to be done.
“Now, we have two finals left, maybe more—I don’t know. We’re going to try to get as many points as possible to at least reach the play-offs. Afterwards, if we can get more, we won’t hold back.”
His words reflect a squad that understands the stakes and the narrow margin for error. With Ligue 1’s relegation battle tightening by the week, every goal, every point, and every moment on the pitch takes on greater importance.
Le Havre’s ability to pull out a win in such dramatic fashion is a testament to both their fighting spirit and growing belief.
Sunday’s result sends a strong signal to their relegation rivals, especially AS Saint-Étienne, who now find themselves under intensified pressure.
With only two matches remaining, the focus for Le Havre shifts to maintaining their mental strength—something Sangante stressed in his remarks.
“We know that in our heads, we have to be strong,” he said, highlighting the psychological resilience needed in the season’s closing stretch.
The defender’s late strike not only gave Le Havre a lifeline but also injected fresh belief into a squad that refuses to give in.
As the Ligue 1 campaign nears its conclusion, Le Havre’s hopes of survival are still alive—and if Arouna Sangante’s leadership and clutch performance are anything to go by, they are ready for the battle ahead.
