Clermont avoid double relegation in play-off win over third tier Boulogne | OneFootball

Clermont Foot have secured their place in Ligue 2 for the 2025/26 season despite a nervy 2-1 home defeat to Boulogne-sur-Mer in Sunday’s relegation play-off second leg, with Famara Diedhiou once again the hero.

The Auvergne side finished 16th in Ligue 2 and came into the second leg with a two-goal cushion after their 3-1 victory in the first leg in the Pas-de-Calais region on Tuesday. But Boulogne, who finished 3rd in National and are seeking a return to the second tier, made things uncomfortable at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied.

Goals from Teddy Averlant (55′) and Jean Vercruysse (70′) put the visitors 2-0 up and level on aggregate, threatening to send the tie into extra time. But just three minutes after Boulogne’s second goal, Famara Diedhiou stepped up once again, heading home what would prove to be the decisive goal in the tie. It was his fifth goal in as many games, and arguably the most important of Clermont’s season.

Clermont were relegated from Ligue 1 in 2024 and looked in real danger of suffering a second consecutive drop before Diedhiou’s intervention. Despite a late push from Boulogne — including a dangerous effort from Thibault Rambaud that was turned away by Théo Guivarch in the 85th minute — the hosts held firm to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

GFFN | George Boxall