CLERMONT-FERRAND (Interstat) — Saïdou Sow scored in the 28th minute and Alexandre Bi Zaouai equalized deep in stoppage time as Clermont and Bastia played to a 1-1 draw Friday in a Ligue 2 match at Stade Gabriel Montpied.

Sow, a defender, put Bastia ahead just before the half-hour mark. Abdellah Baallal provided the assist. The goal came against the run of play, as Clermont had controlled early possession but could not break through Bastia’s defensive block.

The match turned contentious in the second half. Allan Ackra was sent off in the 47th minute, reducing Clermont to 10 men. Mehdi Merghem received a straight red card in the 75th minute, leaving Bastia also with 10 players. The dismissals followed a series of physical challenges and rising tensions between the sides.

Baallal was booked in the 52nd minute, and Juan Guevara received a yellow card in the 65th minute.

Despite being a man down, Bastia maintained its lead through disciplined defending and occasional counterattacks. Clermont pushed forward in the closing stages, and the pressure paid off in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Bi Zaouai, a substitute, scored the equalizer with Guevara providing the assist.

The result left Clermont with a record of 7 wins, 12 losses and 11 draws in Ligue 2 play, while Bastia moved to 4 wins, 12 losses and 11 draws. Across all competitions this season, Clermont is 7-13-14 and Bastia is 10-22-15.

Friday’s match was the second meeting between the clubs this season. Bastia won the previous encounter Oct. 31, 2025, a 1-0 victory in Bastia.

Clermont’s next fixture is a Ligue 2 match at home against Guingamp on May 9. Bastia will host Le Mans FC in Ligue 2 on the same day.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Clermont 1, Bastia 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Clermont with a 71.10 percent probability to win.