Genêts Anglet’s unbeaten start to the Championnat National 2 season came to a crashing halt on a dramatic night at Stade Saint-Jean as Pau FC II snatched a 3-2 away victory in a breathless Basque derby. The visitors showed composure beyond their reserve-team status, overturning a spirited Anglet performance to take all three points from a six-goal thriller played under the lights on 6 September 2026.

An open, high-tempo contest from the first whistle

The match exploded into life early, with both sides pressing high and refusing to sit back. Anglet, playing in front of their home supporters, took the game to Pau FC's young side, but it was the visitors who drew first blood with a well-worked move that sliced through the home defence. Pau’s confidence grew from that moment, and their attacking transitions caused problems for the Genêts back line all evening.

Anglet responded with typical stubbornness. The home side levelled before the interval through a clinical finish after a sustained spell of pressure, sending both sets of players into the dressing rooms level. However, the second period turned into a back-and-forth contest that kept the scoreboard operator busy, with Pau FC II showing remarkable maturity to edge in front once more.

Key moments decide a tight encounter

• Pau’s opener: The away side capitalised on a defensive lapse to take a fifth-minute lead and set the tone for an aggressive, forward-thinking display.
• Anglet’s equaliser: The Basque outfit levelled with a well-taken effort after winning the ball high up the pitch just before the half-hour mark.
• Second-half response: Pau twice moved ahead after the break, with their third goal proving decisive after Anglet had again clawed their way back into contention.
• Late stand: The final ten minutes saw Anglet throw bodies forward in search of a third equaliser, but Pau’s defence held firm under heavy pressure.

What the result means in the National 2 standings

For Pau FC II, this was a statement result. Collecting three points away from home against a side expected to challenge near the top of the group gives the young squad early momentum and a valuable boost to their National 2 standings position. Anglet, meanwhile, will be left to rue defensive errors after creating enough chances to earn at least a draw.

The defeat is a setback for Genêts Anglet in their pursuit of promotion, but with the season still in its infancy, there is ample time to correct course. Pau’s academy products will take enormous confidence from this victory as they continue to develop under the watchful eye of the parent club’s coaching staff. If they defend with this level of organisation and attack with this much intent, they will cause plenty of upsets this season.