Montpellier Vs. Evian, 2012 Ligue 1: Four Sent Off At End Of Wild 2-2 Draw

Tuesday’s match between Montpellier and Evian was a hot mess, but it was the best kind of hot mess. And with Ligue 1 title title implications, there was plenty riding on the stoppage time drama at Stade de la Mosson. The result was a 2-2 draw, but it was not your average draw.

Younes Belhanda had made a penalty earlier in the match and Olivier Giroud added a goal of his own for Montpellier, while Thomas Kahlenberg Kevin Berlgaud tallied for Evian. That set up the mess of stoppage time with the match tied.

Belhanda was due to take a penalty in stoppage time, but he pushed an Evian player as the two teams awaited the penalty. That sparked a brawl between the two players, with the players, substitutes and coaches all getting involved. After it was all sorted out, Belhanda and Gregory Lacombe were shown red cards for Montpellier, with Saber Khelifa and Cedric Mongungu earning red cards for Evian.

It took until 10 minutes of stoppage time had passed before Montpellier actually took the penalty. Bebecause Belhanda had been sent off, Souleymane Camara was charged with taking the penalty that would have earned Montpellier three points, but he missed it.

Had Montpellier won, they would have moved seven points clear of Paris Saint-Germain for first place in Ligue 1. Instead, they are just five points ahead and Belhanda could be facing a suspension that keeps them out for the rest of the season while PSG stays right on their heels.