RED Star FC 93 vs Orleans

Red Star drew first blood against the run of play. Jovany Ikanga A Ngele opened the scoring in the 16th minute on his side's first meaningful attack, punishing Orléans for a succession of early missed chances — Idrissa Seydi had fired wide in the 2nd minute and Mamadou Diako did likewise in the 14th, per La République du Centre.

Orléans earned their reward for sustained pressure when Seydi slotted home an equaliser in the 26th minute, and the sides went in level at half-time.

The visitors took the lead in the 70th minute when Adham Ribeiro met Johan Obiang's cross to make it 2-1. But the lead lasted only two minutes. Damien Durand — who had come on as a 60th-minute substitute — levelled immediately for Red Star in the 72nd minute.

With eight minutes remaining, Kémo Cissé, another 60th-minute arrival, grabbed the winner for the Ligue 2 side, latching onto a loose ball in the box to secure a 3-2 victory.

Durand's instant equaliser in the 72nd minute — just 120 seconds after Ribeiro had put Orléans ahead — was the decisive swing. Had Orléans held the lead for longer, the visitors might have been able to manage the game's closing stages. Instead, Red Star's momentum carried them to Cissé's winner ten minutes later.

Jovany Ikanga A Ngele (Red Star) — opened the scoring with a clinical finish, his first goal of pre-season. Substituted on 60 minutes.

Damien Durand (Red Star) — changed the game within 12 minutes of coming off the bench, scoring the crucial equaliser that triggered the fightback.

Kémo Cissé (Red Star) — the match-winner, arriving late in the box to convert the 82nd-minute decider. Player of the Match.

Idrissa Seydi (Orléans) — a constant threat, scoring the equaliser and missing an early chance. His energy was Orléans' main attacking outlet.

Red Star and Orléans have met 18 times since 2011 across all competitions. The fixture has a strong history of goals: 40 in total (2.22 per match), with both teams scoring in 56% of meetings and Over 2.5 goals landing at the same rate. Tuesday's 3-2 result fits that pattern exactly. Orléans lead the all-time H2H 7-5 with 6 draws, but Red Star have now won two of the last three meetings.

This was Red Star's fourth pre-season friendly of the summer. They lost 1-0 to ESTAC Troyes on 18 July — a match where 17-year-old Christ Batola scored the winner for the Ligue 3 side. Orléans, meanwhile, were playing their fifth pre-season outing, having faced Petrus Flo, Clermont-Ferrand, Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Hilaire and Paris 13 Atletico in previous weeks.

Both teams continue their preparations on Saturday 25 July: Red Star travel to Le Havre (18:00), while Orléans face Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre. Red Star's Ligue 2 campaign begins in August.

A typical pre-season friendly — heavy rotation, a flurry of second-half goals, and minimal defensive rigidity. But Red Star's ability to respond twice after falling behind, particularly through substitutes, will please Damien Perrinelle. Orléans coach Hervé Della Maggiore told La République du Centre: "I really liked our first half with many chances. The second was also interesting but it was harder." The visitors will regret not converting early dominance into a more comfortable lead.