BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, France (Interstat) — Substitute Taïryk Arconte scored twice in his debut for Rodez to lead the visiting side to a 2-1 victory over Boulogne in a Ligue 2 match on Friday, defying pregame projections that favored the hosts.

Playing before a home crowd at Stade de la Libération, Boulogne was handed a season-opening defeat, while Rodez began its campaign with a hard-fought road win. The result flipped the script on statistical forecasts, which had given Boulogne a 54.7 percent probability to win and predicted a 1-1 draw.

The match’s physical tone was set early when Rodez midfielder Nolan Binet received a yellow card in the 5th minute. Rodez, however, shook off the early booking and found the breakthrough against the run of play. In the 16th minute, Arconte, who had entered the match as a substitute, announced his arrival by slotting home the game’s opening goal. The assist was credited to defender Julien Boyer.

Boulogne struggled to mount a consistent response in the first half, and the visitors doubled their lead shortly after the break. Arconte was again the finisher, netting his second goal of the afternoon in the 51st minute to stun the home supporters. The buildup involved a notable contribution from Rodez goalkeeper Blondy Noukeu, who was credited with an assist, a rare feat for a player at his position.

The goal sparked immediate controversy, as Rodez substitute Ibrahima Baldé was shown a yellow card during the ensuing celebrations in the 52nd minute.

Facing a two-goal deficit, Boulogne found a lifeline ten minutes later. Defender Siad Gourville pushed forward and scored in the 61st minute, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and reigniting the contest. The assist came from forward Gabin Capuano.

The match grew increasingly tense and fragmented as Boulogne pressed for an equalizer. A scuffle in the 80th minute led to simultaneous yellow cards for Boulogne’s Julien Boyer and Rodez’s Gabin Capuano. Rodez, determined to protect its narrow lead, managed the game’s final stages, though goalkeeper Noukeu found his name taken by the referee in the first minute of stoppage time for time-wasting.

Despite sustained pressure in the closing minutes, Boulogne could not find a second goal. Rodez’s defense held firm to secure all three points, handing the home side a defeat to start its season.

The victory gives Rodez an immediate boost in the early Ligue 2 table, starting the season with a perfect record of one win and no losses. Boulogne, conversely, is left to regroup after beginning its campaign with a home loss. Arconte’s impactful performance off the bench provided the decisive edge in a match that proved more contentious and unpredictable than the pregame analytics had suggested.