Former Japan midfielder Nozomi Hiroyama became the first Japanese to play in the French League first division when he came on as a substitute in Montpellier's 1-1 draw at home to Rennes in the season opener on Saturday.
The 26-year-old, who joined Montpellier on a one-year contract last month, was brought on in the second half and played a part in salvaging a late point for his side after Abdeslam Ouaddou had given the visitors a 25th-minute lead.
With only a minute of normal time remaining, Hiroyama's pass into the box found Fode Mansare, who was impeded by Dominique Arribage and awarded a penalty.
Mansare dusted himself off to take the kick himself and squeezed the ball past visiting goalkeeper Petr Cech, who guessed right and got his fingertips to the ball but could not manage to keep it out.