MONTBÉLIARD, France (Interstat) — Benjamin Gomel scored twice in a 10-minute span of the second half to power FC Sochaux-Montbéliard to a 2-0 victory over Rouen in a National 1 match on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The contest, played before a home crowd at Stade Auguste-Bonal, served as the season opener for both clubs in France’s third division. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw. Their ELO rating system had given Sochaux-Montbéliard a 57.80 percent probability of securing a win.

The first half was a cagey affair, with neither side able to establish sustained offensive pressure. The most notable moment before halftime was a yellow card issued to Sochaux-Montbéliard substitute Joseph Atangana in the 29th minute, though he had not yet entered the match from the bench.

The deadlock was broken six minutes after the restart. Gomel, the Sochaux-Montbéliard forward, found space in the Rouen penalty area and finished clinically to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.

He doubled his tally and sealed the points just 10 minutes later. In the 61st minute, Gomel struck again, this time set up by a well-placed assist from Atangana, who had since been introduced into the match. The two-goal cushion proved insurmountable for a Rouen side that struggled to create clear chances throughout the evening.

The 2-0 scoreline held through the final whistle, handing Sochaux-Montbéliard an ideal start to their National 1 campaign. They begin the season with a record of one win and no losses in the competition, and an identical mark across all contests. The performance of Gomel, who accounted for all the scoring, was the decisive factor.

For Rouen, the defeat marks a disappointing opening. They now stand at zero wins and one loss both in National 1 and in their overall record for the season. They will look to rebound quickly, with their next fixture scheduled against Caen.

The match was part of the opening round of the National 1 season, which features 18 clubs competing for promotion to Ligue 2. Sochaux-Montbéliard, a historic club with a storied past in French football’s top flight, will aim to build on this positive result as they pursue a return to the professional tiers. Rouen, meanwhile, must address its offensive shortcomings after being shut out on the road.