The Cannes Iron Mask punched their ticket to the French D1 Elite championship game with a dramatic 24-21 semifinal victory over the La Courneuve Flash on Sunday at Maurice Chevalier Stadium, earning a return trip to the title game for the second straight season.
For the second year in a row, these two rivals met in the semifinals, and just like in 2025, the contest was decided in the closing moments.
Defenses set the early tone
Both offenses entered the game with plenty of momentum, but the opening half belonged to the defenses.
The only points of the first quarter came from the foot of Nathan Aubert, whose field goal gave Cannes a 3-0 lead. Defensive pressure and disciplined play on both sides prevented either offense from finding much rhythm through most of the first half.
The game finally opened up late in the second quarter. Jaylen Tregle ignited the Flash offense with a spectacular 93-yard touchdown run, giving La Courneuve its first lead of the afternoon at 7-3.
The advantage was short-lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Lenny Silva answered immediately with a return touchdown to put Cannes back in front 9-7.
The lead changed hands once again before halftime when Timothé Labarrière found the end zone for the Flash, sending La Courneuve into the locker room with a 14-9 advantage.
Flash hold firm after halftime
The pace slowed considerably after the break as both defenses regained control.
The Iron Mask spent much of the third quarter pushing into Flash territory but repeatedly came away empty-handed. Meanwhile, La Courneuve struggled to generate consistent offense, particularly after Tregle spent time on the sideline receiving treatment for an ankle issue.
With neither team able to add points, the score remained 14-9 deep into the fourth quarter.
Cannes finds a way
The semifinal finally exploded back to life in the closing minutes.
A trick play gave Cannes the breakthrough it desperately needed. Conor Miller lateraled to Key, who then threw downfield to Silva for his second touchdown of the day, putting the Iron Mask ahead 17-14.
The Flash responded quickly. Tregle connected with DeAndre Mister on a go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, giving La Courneuve a 21-17 lead and seemingly placing one foot in the final.
But Miller had one more answer.
The Cannes quarterback launched a deep pass to Julien Vast, who came up with the decisive touchdown to restore the lead at 24-21. A late Flash comeback attempt was halted by a penalty, allowing the Iron Mask to run out the clock and celebrate another thrilling semifinal victory.
For the second consecutive season, Cannes advances to the French D1 Elite final.