Angers turn 1-1 half-time score into 3-1 win over Auxerre

Angers recovered from a level half-time score to defeat Auxerre 3-1 in Ligue 1 on Saturday, securing the victory with two goals after the interval. The result leaves Angers 17th and Auxerre 18th, with both teams on zero points after one game and both carrying a second successive loss in their most recent form.

Fast start, quick response

Angers took the lead in the fifth minute through Branco van den Boomen, who scored a normal goal to give the visitors an early advantage. Van den Boomen was later booked in the 28th minute, but Angers’ lead did not last to half-time.

Auxerre equalised in the 35th minute when Remy Labeau Lascary found the net, with Romain Faivre providing the assist. The goal made it 1-1 at the interval and gave the home side a foothold in a match in which both teams were looking for their first points of the season.

Angers settle the match after the break

The decisive period came in the final 20 minutes. Harouna Djibirin restored Angers’ lead in the 70th minute after an assist from Amine El Ouazzani. El Ouazzani then moved from creator to scorer eight minutes later, with Oumar Camara supplying the assist for Angers’ third goal.

The visitors made changes around the turning point, with Pierrick Peter replacing Jérémy Allevinah in the 67th minute and Djibirin coming on for Adrien Bermont a minute later. Auxerre also made several substitutions, but could not find another goal. Labeau Lascary and Faivre were replaced in the 61st and 71st minutes respectively, while Elie Legros and David Namaso also left the field.

Auxerre had more of the ball

The scoreline did not reflect Auxerre’s greater share of possession or overall attacking volume. Auxerre held 61% of the ball, completed 423 of 482 passes and registered 19 total shots, compared with Angers’ 39% possession, 236 accurate passes from 295 and 15 shots. However, Angers produced six shots on target to Auxerre’s seven and recorded a higher expected-goals figure, 1.64 to 1.29.

Anthony Lopes was important to the result for Angers, making seven saves. Auxerre also won six corners to Angers’ 10 and committed more fouls, 15 to seven. The final minutes brought yellow cards for Auxerre’s Cédric Akpa and Souleymane Diomande, as well as Angers’ Peter.

El Ouazzani leads the ratings

El Ouazzani was the standout performer, earning an 8.7 rating after an 88-minute contribution that included one goal, one assist, two shots on target, one key pass and two tackles. His influence was central to Angers turning a 1-1 match into a 3-1 win.