Rodez secured a crucial 2-1 victory against St Étienne in an intense Ligue 2 match played on May 2, 2026. The encounter, refereed by Jérôme Brisard, saw Rodez Aveyron Football emerge triumphant thanks to a decisive brace from Ibrahima Baldé, earning the home side three valuable points.

From the outset of the match, Rodez demonstrated their intentions. It was Ibrahima Baldé who opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving his team the lead. The Ruthénois continued to press, looking to consolidate their advantage before halftime, while St Étienne attempted to respond.

The second half saw Rodez maintain their momentum. Ibrahima Baldé, in excellent form, once again found the back of the net in the 53rd minute, extending the score to 2-0 and putting the Aveyron club in a comfortable position. This second goal placed St Étienne under considerable pressure.

Despite Rodez's two-goal advantage, St Étienne did not give up. Les Verts intensified their attacks late in the game, and their efforts were rewarded in the 88th minute with a goal from Irvin Cardona, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. The final minutes were marked by Stéphanois attempts to equalize, yellow cards for Luan Gadegbeku and Octave Joly, and strategic substitutions from both sides.

Ultimately, Rodez held firm against St Étienne's pressure, sealing a 2-1 victory that could prove decisive for their Ligue 2 campaign. This success highlights the team's resilience and Ibrahima Baldé's exceptional performance, while St Étienne will need to analyze this defeat ahead of their upcoming fixtures.