En Avant Guingamp kept their promotion hopes alive with a vital 3-1 victory over Clermont Foot, thanks in part to a decisive goal from Sohaib Naïr. The match at Stade du Roudourou saw several Algerian players make a significant impact as Guingamp fought back from an early deficit.
Early Setback for Guingamp
Guingamp, desperate to stay in contention for a return to France’s top flight, faced an early setback when Clermont Foot took the lead in the 17th minute.
Maïdine Douane provided a well-placed assist for Joel Bassouamina, who made no mistake in finishing past the Guingamp goalkeeper to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
With three matches without a win, Guingamp found themselves under pressure, and the early goal only added to their struggles.
Second-Half Changes Spark a Comeback
Guingamp’s response came just after the hour mark when manager Stéphane Dumont made a triple substitution in an attempt to shake things up. Rayan Ghrieb was among those introduced, while Amine Hemia was withdrawn.
The changes had an immediate effect, as just two minutes later, Guingamp found the equalizer, injecting fresh energy into their attack.
Naïr’s Heroics Seal the Victory
As the game neared its conclusion, Sohaib Naïr stepped up in a crucial moment. The Algerian defender had already been solid at the back and instrumental in Guingamp’s build-up play, but his decisive moment came in the 87th minute.
Following a poorly executed free kick from Ghrieb, the ball ricocheted back into the penalty area. Naïr, displaying great awareness and composure, rose above the defense to deliver a difficult header into the top corner, leaving the Clermont goalkeeper with no chance. His goal put Guingamp ahead for the first time in the match at 2-1.
Ghrieb Seals the Win
With momentum firmly on Guingamp’s side, they put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time.
Pape Ibnou Ba won a penalty after being brought down in the box, and Ghrieb stepped up to calmly convert from the spot, securing his fourth goal of the season.
Play-Off Implications
The victory keeps Guingamp in fifth place, ensuring they remain in the race for promotion via the end-of-season play-offs.
Meanwhile, Clermont’s struggles continue, with the club still in danger of dropping to the third tier as they battle to avoid relegation.
For Guingamp, the contributions of their Algerian contingent, particularly Naïr and Ghrieb, were instrumental in securing a much-needed win as the race for promotion intensifies.
Sohaib Naïr VS Clermont. [ 22 ans ]
Un BUT délivrant les siens , une magnifique passe clé amenant la balle de match. ⚽️😍
Quel match du natif de Saint-Denis , quel début d’année 2025. 🫡🇩🇿
Guingamp est 5ème de L2. 📊
MOTM. 🥇 @Sohaib_N6 pic.twitter.com/wS4hhlLMlq
— ᴍᴇʀᴄᴜ. 🎥🇩🇿 (@CompsMercu) March 7, 2025
