Caen 3-2 FC Rouen — Caen secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over FC Rouen in the French Championnat National on September 25, 2026, winning a five-goal contest at the Stade Michel d’Ornano. The result gives Caen an important three points in the race for promotion, while Rouen will be left to reflect on a brave comeback that ultimately fell just short.

Caen edge a five-goal thriller

Caen started the match on the front foot, pressing Rouen’s defence and moving the ball quickly through midfield. The opener came after a flowing move down the right, with Godson Kyeremeh finishing at the near post. Caen doubled their lead soon after when Bilal Brahimi curled a shot into the far corner from the edge of the area. Rouen responded well before half-time, pulling one back through Hicham Benkaid after a defensive mix-up. In the second half, Rouen equalised when Adama Sidibé powered home a header from a corner, setting up a tense finale. Caen found the winner late on when Alexandre Mendy turned inside the box and fired low into the net.

Match overview

The Championnat National clash was an entertaining, end-to-end encounter. Caen looked the more polished side in possession, using wide overloads and quick combinations to break through Rouen’s midfield. Rouen, however, showed real resilience and grew in confidence after their first goal. The visitors’ set-piece threat caused problems, and for a period it looked as though they might complete the comeback. Caen’s experience and attacking depth ultimately told, with Mendy’s late goal proving the difference in a match that had plenty of intensity and no shortage of drama.

Key moments

• Caen take the lead: Godson Kyeremeh finished a flowing move at the near post.
• Brahimi doubles the advantage: A curled effort from the edge of the box made it 2-0.
• Rouen respond: Hicham Benkaid capitalised on a defensive error to pull one back.
• Sidibé equalises: A powerful header from a corner made it 2-2.
• Mendy wins it late: Caen’s striker turned and finished low to seal a 3-2 victory.

Tactical story

Caen set up in a 4-3-3, looking to dominate the ball and create chances through their wide players. Their midfield trio controlled the tempo, while the full-backs pushed high to support attacks. Rouen defended in a compact 4-4-2 and relied on quick counter-attacks and set pieces. That approach nearly paid off after they recovered from two goals down. The decisive tactical moment came when Caen switched to a more direct style in the final fifteen minutes, putting crosses into the box and eventually creating the chance for Mendy’s winner.

Standout players

Alexandre Mendy was Caen’s hero, scoring the late winner and leading the line with physical presence. Godson Kyeremeh and Bilal Brahimi both impressed with their movement and finishing. In midfield, Caen’s captain dictated play and kept the team calm after Rouen’s equaliser. For Rouen, Hicham Benkaid and Adama Sidibé were the main threats, with Sidibé’s header capping a strong second-half display. Goalkeeper Rouen also made several important saves to keep the game alive until the closing stages.

What the result means

The win lifts Caen in the French Championnat National standings and strengthens their push for promotion to Ligue 2. For FC Rouen, the defeat is a frustrating one, especially after fighting back from two goals down, but the performance showed enough quality to suggest they can compete in the division. With the season still developing, both teams will focus on consistency, defensive discipline and taking chances in key moments. This 3-2 result will be remembered as one of the more entertaining matches of the round, and Caen will hope it becomes a turning point in their campaign.