Rodez vs Nimes

Touho's goal in the first minute of added time was the clear hinge. Nîmes had weathered the immediate response to Doumbouya's opener and looked set to reach the break level. Conceding so late in the half — from open play, with no assist recorded — shifted the momentum decisively in Rodez's favour before the teams left the pitch.

M. Touho (Rodez) — The match-winner, scoring the crucial go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time. His timing and composure under pressure decided the contest.

D. Vangi (Rodez) — Provided the equaliser that swung the game back in Rodez's favour midway through the first half, restoring belief after Nîmes's early breakthrough.

S. Doumbouya (Nîmes) — Scored a well-taken opener for the visitors, who otherwise struggled to build on their bright start and ultimately couldn't find a second.

The match produced three goals from 11 shots between the two sides, according to data tracked by Foot Mercato — a relatively efficient rate for a pre-season contest where fitness and tactical work take precedence over scorelines. Rodez's 2-1 win continues a prolific pre-season: they have scored 11 goals across three friendlies (5-3 vs Bastia, 4-1 vs Cannes, 2-1 vs Nîmes), suggesting Santini's side carry genuine attacking threat into the new campaign.

For Rodez, this is a third consecutive pre-season victory under manager Didier Santini, maintaining momentum ahead of tougher tests against Ligue 1 side Toulouse on 25 July in Montauban and Ligue 2 rivals Montpellier on 1 August. The club's Ligue 2 season kicks off on 8 August at Stade Paul-Lignon.

For Nîmes (National 1), this was their second friendly of the summer following a 4-0 defeat to Nice on 18 July. They face AS Saint-Priest on 25 July as they build towards the National 1 campaign.

A routine pre-season win for Rodez that showcased their ability to respond to setbacks. The quick double — Vangi's equaliser followed by Touho's stoppage-time strike — killed the contest before half-time. Nîmes had moments but lacked the cutting edge to punish a side from the division above. The real tests for both teams come against higher-grade opposition in the coming weeks.