TROYES, France (Interstat) — A solitary first-half goal from forward Tawfik Bentayeb propelled Troyes to a narrow 1-0 victory over Red Star in a Ligue 2 match Saturday at Stade de l’Aube.

The result, which came on Jan. 3, 2026, gave the home side a winning start to its league campaign while handing the visitors a defeat in their season opener.

The match’s decisive moment arrived just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Bentayeb found the net to break a deadlock that had persisted for much of the opening period. The goal was assisted by defender Lucas Maronnier, who initiated the attacking move.

Maronnier’s contribution was tempered by a yellow card he received seven minutes earlier in the 36th minute, one of three cautions issued during the contest.

The second half saw both managers utilize their benches in search of an advantage, with Troyes’ substitutes playing a notable role in managing the game. While the home side was unable to add to its lead, the single goal proved sufficient as the defense held firm against Red Star’s efforts to find an equalizer.

Red Star’s attempts to build momentum were consistently disrupted by a disciplined Troyes midfield and defense. The visitors failed to convert any clear chances, leaving them with a blank scoresheet at the final whistle.

The match grew increasingly tense as time wound down, reflected in two late yellow cards. Troyes substitute Saîf-Eddine Khaoui was booked in the 58th minute, and fellow substitute Bradley Danger received a caution deep into stoppage time in the 90+4th minute.

The final score defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw. The same analytics system had given Troyes a slight edge to win the match, rating its probability of victory at 51.20 percent. The home side’s performance narrowly validated that statistical favoritism.

With the victory, Troyes begins its Ligue 2 season with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, a mark that also reflects its overall record across all competitions. Red Star starts its campaign with a record of 0 wins and 1 loss in both the league and its total ledger for the season.

The match provided an early three points for Troyes in the long Ligue 2 season, built on a foundation of a timely goal and a resolute defensive display. For Red Star, the performance highlighted the need for greater offensive potency as it looks to rebound in its next fixture.