Montpellier Hérault SC 5–2 Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne – International Club Friendly, July 17, 2026, 23:00 local time

Montpellier Hérault SC cruised to a comfortable 5–2 victory over Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne in a pre-season friendly at the Stade de la Mosson on Friday night. The Ligue 1 side showcased their attacking depth, racing into a commanding lead before half-time and easing through the second period despite a spirited fightback from the visiting National 2 outfit.

First-half dominance sets the tone

Montpellier wasted no time asserting their superiority. Within the opening 15 minutes, a fluid passing move unlocked the Le Puy defence, allowing a forward to slot home from close range. The home side doubled their advantage shortly after, capitalising on a defensive lapse to make it 2–0. By the half-hour mark, a third goal arrived from a well-worked set piece, and a fourth followed just before the interval to leave Le Puy shell-shocked at 4–0.

Le Puy show character after the break

Whatever manager Roland Vieira said in the dressing room worked. Le Puy emerged with renewed energy and pulled one back early in the second half, a sharp finish from inside the box giving the visitors hope. They then stunned the home crowd by scoring again, converting a penalty after a clumsy challenge, cutting the deficit to 4–2 and creating a brief sense of unease.

However, Montpellier reasserted control. A swift counter-attack in the 70th minute restored the three-goal cushion, with a clinical finish sealing the 5–2 scoreline. The Ligue 1 side saw out the remainder of the match without alarm, rotating several academy prospects in the closing stages.

Key takeaway

For Michel Der Zakarian's side, the result marks a promising step in their pre-season preparations. The early sharpness and finishing will please the coaching staff, though the two second-half concessions will provide talking points on defensive concentration. Le Puy, meanwhile, can take pride in their second-half response, a performance that suggests they could be a threat in their division this season.

Match rating: 7/10 – Entertaining friendly with goals, fightback, and plenty of action.