AMMENS, France (Interstat) — Visiting Nancy opened its Ligue 2 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Amiens AC U19 on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Stade Crédit Agricole la Licorne, overcoming an early deficit with a second-half winner.

The match, part of France’s domestic youth league structure, saw Nancy’s substitutes play a decisive role in overturning the game. Amiens’ junior side struck first in the 11th minute through forward Elydjah Mendy, who capitalized on an assist from fellow substitute Jimmy Evans to give the home team an early advantage.

Nancy, which entered the contest with a 67.10 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, struggled to break down the Amiens defense for much of the first half. The visitors’ momentum was briefly checked when substitute Martin Expérience received a yellow card in the 51st minute.

The equalizer finally came in the 73rd minute from Nancy forward Yanis Rafii. The goal, assisted by substitute Rayan Bamba, leveled the score and shifted the pressure back onto the home side.

Just eight minutes later, Nancy completed the comeback. Substitute Zakaria Fdaouch found the net with what proved to be the decisive goal, assisted by Martin Expérience, to put Nancy ahead 2-1.

The closing stages grew increasingly tense, with two more yellow cards shown. Nancy’s Rayan Bamba was booked in the 81st minute, and Amiens’ Jimmy Evans received a caution in the 87th minute as the home team pushed unsuccessfully for a second equalizer.

Nancy’s victory defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw. The result gives Nancy a winning start to its season in this competition, improving its record to one win and no losses. Amiens AC U19 begins its campaign with a loss, moving to zero wins and one loss.

The records for both teams across all competitions mirror their starts in Ligue 2 play.

The match underscored the impact of squad depth, with all five of the game’s key statistical contributors — the three goal-scorers and two assist-makers — entering the contest as substitutes. Nancy’s ability to change the game from the bench proved the critical difference in securing the three points on the road.