USL Concarneau started their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ligue 2 side Stade Lavallois MFC in an international club friendly on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The match, played at a neutral venue, offered a glimpse of the sharpness and tactical discipline both teams are building ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

The game kicked off at 17:00 local time under clear skies, with both sides fielding mixed lineups to test squad depth. Concarneau, currently competing in the French third tier (Championnat National), looked to impose themselves early against a higher‑division opponent. Lavallois, who narrowly avoided relegation from Ligue 2 last season, were eager to build momentum through ball possession and vertical passing.

First Half: Concarneau's Intent

Concarneau struck first in the 23rd minute. A quick counter‑attack down the left flank saw right‑back Thibault Sinquin deliver a low cross that was turned home by striker Fahd El Khoumisti. The goal came against the run of play, as Lavallois had controlled roughly 60% of possession in the opening quarter. Laval responded well, creating two clear chances through Jimmy Roye and Geoffrey Durbant, but Concarneau's goalkeeper Maxime Pattier made sharp saves to keep the lead intact.

Second Half: Laval Fight Back, Concarneau Holds On

Stade Lavallois equalised in the 56th minute when a corner kick was headed home by centre‑back Pierre‑Yves Polomat. The set‑piece goal exposed Concarneau's defensive organisation, but the National side showed resilience. Just ten minutes later, a defensive miscommunication in Laval’s back line allowed Concarneau's Romain Sans to poke the ball past goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja from close range. Laval pushed hard in the final 20 minutes, hitting the crossbar through Yannick M'Bolo, but Concarneau's compact defensive block held firm.

Key Players

• Fahd El Khoumisti (Concarneau) – Clinical finish and constant movement troubled Laval’s defense.
• Maxime Pattier (Concarneau) – Three crucial saves, including a one‑on‑one stop in the 74th minute.
• Jimmy Roye (Laval) – Composed midfield distributor, created four chances.

Pre‑Season Significance

For Concarneau, the win against a Ligue 2 opponent injects confidence ahead of their National campaign. Manager Stéphane Le Mignan will be pleased with the pressing intensity but will want to address set‑piece defending. Lavallois, under new manager Olivier Frapolli, showed flashes of quality but lacked sharpness in the final third. Both sides will continue their friendly schedule with matches against other regional clubs in the coming week.

– International Club Friendly, July 25, 2026