Third in the National League, FC Rouen secured a draw against Laval, who are 16th in Ligue 2. The outcome of this playoff will be decided in the second leg in Mayenne on Sunday.
FC Rouen preserved their chances of promotion to Ligue 2 by drawing 1-1 against Laval at home in the first leg of the playoff on Tuesday night. The return match will take place in Laval on Sunday (5:00 PM). The winner of this double confrontation will play in Ligue 2 next season, while the loser will be relegated to Ligue 3, the new professional competition succeeding the National League.
Laval, who spent much of the season in the relegation zone before finishing 16th in Ligue 2, opened the scoring through midfielder Cyril Mandouki, who scored his first goal of the season with a shot from the edge of the box (18th minute).
However, the Normans, who have not played in Ligue 2 since the 2003-04 season and only secured their playoff spot in stoppage time on the last day of the National League, equalized shortly after halftime with a penalty awarded for a foul in the box, converted powerfully by Valentin Fuss (48th minute).
The playoffs between Ligue 2 and third-tier clubs were introduced in 2017. The last three playoffs have been won by Ligue 2 teams. Ligue 3, the new professional division, will replace the National League starting from next season.
