Denis Bouanga's goal 1-0 win over Metz in the French league lifted Saint-Etienne out of the relegation zone. Before the game, both Saint-Etienne and Metz were level on points with bottom-placed Bordeaux. Bouanga headed in a cross from Sada Thioub in the 19th minute for Saint-Etienne, but the score was disallowed after a VAR review revealed that the Gabone striker had touched the ball.
Metz gained confidence and put goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni to the test in the 28th minute with a wayward effort from Louis Mafouta. After Bernardoni flapped at a corner, the visitors nearly scored on a goalmouth scramble, but Metz defender Dylan Bronn's close-range shot was blocked. Bouanga gave Saint-Etienne the lead in the second half with an acrobatic volley in the 52nd minute, and he later had multiple chances to double the lead. Bouanga's angled strike was parried by Metz goalkeeper Marc-Aurele Caillard in the 71st minute.