Montpellier move second after decisive win at Rodez

Montpellier have moved into sole possession of second place in Ligue 2 after a 3-0 victory at Rodez on Monday. The result strengthens their promotion position, with the Hérault club now four points behind leaders Saint-Etienne. They also hold a one-point advantage over Reims and the Red Star, while Nancy sit two points behind them.

The match was goalless at half-time, but Montpellier took control after the interval and settled the contest with three goals. Nicolas Pays opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Megnan-Pavé struck four minutes later to double the visitors’ lead, before Daryll Benlahlou completed the scoring in the 76th minute.

The victory extends Montpellier’s strong sequence in the league. They have recorded three wins and one draw in their last four matches, a run that has taken them clear of the teams immediately behind them and established them as Saint-Etienne’s nearest challengers in the standings.

Rodez could not recover after conceding twice in the space of four minutes. Montpellier’s second-half surge turned a scoreless game into a clear away win and gave the club another important result in the promotion race. The success also confirmed their recent upward momentum as the league moves beyond its ninth round.