TOMBLAINE, France (Interstat) — In a match that delivered its decisive drama at the very last possible moment, Nancy and Saint-Etienne II opened their Ligue 2 campaigns with a 1-1 draw Saturday at Stade Marcel Picot.

The result, which aligned exactly with the pregame projection from Interstat’s simulator, saw the visiting Saint-Etienne II squad snatch a share of the points with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time, negating an early opener from Nancy.

Playing in the French second division, both sides now hold identical records to start the season: 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Their overall records across all competitions also mirror that mark.

The home side, Nancy, seized the initiative almost immediately. In just the sixth minute, midfielder Zakaria Fdaouch found the net to give his team an early advantage. The goal set a tempo that Nancy would strive to maintain for much of the contest, especially after Interstat’s ELO rating system had given them a 63.3 percent probability of securing a victory.

Saint-Etienne II, however, demonstrated resilience despite the early setback. The physical nature of the match began to show in the booking totals, with Saint-Etienne II substitute Julien Le Cardinal receiving a yellow card in the 10th minute. Nancy defender Jérémy Gelin was also cautioned in the 51st minute as the visitors increased their pressure.

As the match entered its final stages, Nancy appeared poised to see out the narrow victory. The tension culminated in a flurry of late disciplinary action, with Saint-Etienne II substitute Ebenezer Annan booked in the 88th minute.

Just when it seemed Nancy would secure the win, Saint-Etienne II mounted one final attack in the seventh minute of added time. The late push paid off as substitute Lucas Stassin scored the equalizing goal. The assist was credited to fellow substitute Julien Le Cardinal, who contributed key playmaking despite his earlier caution.

For Nancy, the assist on their early goal came from defender Jérémy Gelin, while the vital helper on Saint-Etienne II’s dramatic leveler was provided by substitute Ebenezer Annan.

The draw represents a case of contrasting emotions for the two clubs. Nancy will rue the loss of two points after controlling much of the game and coming within moments of a win. For Saint-Etienne II, the result stands as a testament to their persistence, earning a road point with a last-gasp goal that ensures both teams begin their 2026 Ligue 2 seasons on level terms.