Zakaria Aboukhlal’s late match-winner propelled Toulouse to their first H2H triumph since August 2015 as they prevailed 2-1 against AS Saint-Étienne.
Having suffered defeat in only one of their last five outings at the Stadium de Toulouse (W3, D1), the hosts began with a sense of assurance as Shavy Babicka blasted narrowly over the crossbar in the sixth minute. The Gabonese forward had another opportunity just before the 30-minute mark, but he was once again thwarted as a last-ditch defensive block stopped him from registering on the scoresheet. Nonetheless, his colleague Joshua King was handed an even greater chance to open the scoring nine minutes before halftime. Yet, in a baffling manner, Toulouse’s joint-leading scorer nodded the ball wide of the goal from a prime position.
Saint-Étienne punished their opponents for squandering a series of opportunities in the 53rd minute when Lucas Stassin expertly slotted home Dennis Appiah’s cross into the danger area for his inaugural goal of the campaign. Ruthlessly, Toulouse ensured their visitors’ advantage lasted less than two minutes as Babicka equalized with a formidable downward header from the far post.
Following a brief lull during which Toulouse substitute Yann Gboho shot directly at Gautier Larsonneur and Pierre Ekwah compelled Guillaume Restes into a spectacular one-handed save, the hosts clinched all three points in the 86th minute. Despite a subdued display in attack, Aboukhlal made a decisive impact when it counted, instinctively converting Niklas Schmidt’s precise cross from close range.
The win propels Toulouse to within two points of the top six, as Les Violets finish 2024 on a high note. Conversely, Saint-Étienne remain without an away win in Ligue 1 this term (D1, L7), leaving them rooted in the relegation play-off spot.
