PAU, France (Interstat) — Kyliane Dong’s stoppage-time winner lifted Pau to a 2-1 comeback victory over Guingamp in a Ligue 2 match Friday afternoon at Stade Nouste Camp, defying a pregame projection and securing a winning start to the league campaign.

The visitors from Guingamp struck first against the run of play in the 35th minute. Substitute Louis Mafouta, who had just entered the match, provided the finishing touch to a Guingamp move, slotting home to give his side an unexpected lead. The goal came after Pau forward Omar Sadik received an early yellow card in the 15th minute, an early sign of the physical contest that would unfold.

Pau, heavily favored with a 71.8 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, responded with increased pressure in the second half. The equalizer arrived in the 54th minute through star forward Kyliane Dong. The play was built from midfield, with Daylam Meddah credited with the assist. Meddah would later receive a yellow card in the 76th minute as the game’s intensity escalated.

The match appeared destined for a draw, aligning with Interstat’s game simulator projection of a 1-1 final score. However, deep into second-half stoppage time, Dong delivered the decisive moment. In the 95th minute, he found the net again, completing his brace and securing all three points for the home side. The goal was assisted by fellow substitute Kalidou Sidibé, whose entry helped change the dynamic in the final stages.

The frantic conclusion included a flurry of disciplinary actions. Guingamp’s Tom Pouilly was booked in the 79th minute. Following Dong’s winning goal, the scorer himself received a yellow card in the 95th minute, and Sidibé was also cautioned in the 99th minute as the match concluded in a tense atmosphere.

The result gives Pau an immediate boost in the Ligue 2 table, beginning their season with a victory. For Guingamp, it marks a disappointing start despite a resilient defensive effort for much of the contest. Pau’s ability to secure the win, particularly through late heroics after being favored, underscores the unpredictable nature of the competition as the 2026 season gets underway.