VALENCIENNES, France (Interstat) — Valenciennes and Berrich Chateauroux played to a 2-2 draw Friday afternoon at Stade du Hainaut in a National 1 opener. Gaëtan Courtet scored the equalizer in the 90th minute and added an assist to lead a late comeback after Berrich Chateauroux had taken a 2-1 lead.

Stredair Appuah opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute. Ronaldo Freitas doubled Berrich Chateauroux’s advantage in the 80th minute, entering as a substitute. Courtet pulled Valenciennes within one in the 90th minute, then substitute Yannis Verdier leveled the match in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Mehdi Beneddine, Alexandre Coeff and Jad Koembo each recorded an assist. Four yellow cards were issued: Koembo in the 22nd minute, Coeff in first-half stoppage time, Courtet in the 46th minute and Beneddine in the 93rd minute.

Both teams began their season with 0-0-1 records in both the competition and across all competitions. The result came after Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw.