Toulouse FC missed out on victory after Stade Brestois striker Ludovic Ajorque scored a header in the last second to secure a 2-2 Ligue 1 draw on Saturday.
The late equalizer left the visitors frustrated after leading for much of the match at Stade Brestois, earning their first point of the season despite heavy second-half pressure from the home side.
Toulouse took an early lead when Jacen Russell-Rowe, starting at striker in place of Santiago Hidalgo, received a pass between two defenders from Yann Gboho. The Canadian forward executed a sharp control and shot to score Toulouse's first goal of the Ligue 1 campaign.
Brest leveled in the 18th minute through Kamory Doumbia. The Malian midfielder, who also scored in the opening matchday, deflected a shot from Diambou with a heel flick past Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.
Toulouse Retakes Lead Before Late Pressure
Toulouse created another clear opportunity in the 21st minute after Venezuelan midfielder Cristian Cásseres executed a double sombrero in midfield. Tapé delivered a cross to Thomas Jorgensen, but the Danish midfielder sent his header over the bar from five meters out. Jorgensen struggled to find his final pass throughout the match after a stronger debut the previous weekend.
Toulouse restored their lead in the 62nd minute when Tapé converted a free kick delivered by Cásseres, whose balance and dynamism proved essential for manager Jens Berthel Askou's team.
Brest pressed heavily throughout the second half and hit the woodwork three times. Doumbia headed against the crossbar in first-half stoppage time, Pathé Mboup struck the post in the 51st minute, and Lucas Tousart hit the crossbar in the 91st minute. Mboup consistently created danger down the right flank against Toulouse defender Ismaïl Diallo.
Tactical Decisions and Transfer Window Focus
Askou attempted to protect the lead in the 78th minute by replacing Jorgensen with defender Koumbassa, accepting that Toulouse would fall back under pressure. Askou later indicated that the tactical change failed to prevent the equalizer, though it allowed Toulouse to open their points tally after an opening-week 2-0 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais.
Reflecting on the match, Askou recalled facing Brest in 2024 as assistant coach of Sparta Prague in the Champions League, noting he remembered Ajorque as a tall and powerful striker who punishes any defensive space. Askou stated that his young side still has work ahead to fully control matches in Ligue 1.
The upcoming two days of the transfer window will be crucial for Toulouse as the club aims to retain Cásseres amid ongoing market interest.
Toulouse is also preparing to reinforce its attack with Danish forward Casper Tengstedt, who is expected to arrive in Haute-Garonne in the coming hours.
