Montpellier Blitz Le Puy in Seven-Goal Friendly Thriller

Montpellier Hérault SC kicked off their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion on July 17, 2026, routing Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne 5–2 in an entertaining International Club Friendly at home. The Ligue 1 side’s attacking firepower proved too much for the lower-league visitors, as Montpellier raced to a commanding lead before Le Puy mounted a brief fightback.

Match Overview

Played under the lights at Montpellier’s training ground, the friendly allowed coach Michel Der Zakarian to test a mix of first-team regulars and fringe players. From the first whistle, Montpellier dominated possession and created chances at will. The hosts struck twice inside the opening 15 minutes, with their high press forcing errors from Le Puy’s backline.

Key Moments

• Early Blitz: Montpellier’s first goal came from a clinical finish by striker Elye Wahi after a clever through ball. The second arrived from a set-piece, with centre-back Becir Omeragic heading home unmarked.
• Le Puy Response: Trailing 3–0 at the break, Le Puy showed spirit after the restart. A quick counterattack saw forward Grégoire Buaud pull one back in the 55th minute, followed by a penalty converted by captain David Vandenplas to make it 3–2.
• Montpellier Restores Order: The Ligue 1 outfit responded immediately. Wahi completed his hat-trick with a powerful drive, and substitute Arnaud Nordin added a fifth in the closing stages to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Montpellier operated in a fluid 4-3-3, with Teji Savanier pulling the strings from midfield. Le Puy, playing in a compact 4-4-2, struggled to contain the width provided by Montpellier’s full-backs. The hosts’ intensity dropped after the hour mark, allowing Le Puy a brief spell of pressure, but the return of key starters in the final 15 minutes killed the game off.

Standout Players

Elye Wahi was unplayable, his movement and finishing reminding everyone why he remains Montpellier’s most prized asset. For Le Puy, David Vandenplas led by example, scoring a penalty and organising the midfield.

This result gives Montpellier a confidence boost ahead of tougher pre-season tests, while Le Puy can take heart from their second-half display against top-tier opposition.