Rennes snatches first win on late penalty against Le Mans

Rennes claimed their first Ligue 1 victory of the season on Sunday, August 30 at Roazhon Park, but only after a far more complicated scenario than expected: the Bretons needed a 96th-minute penalty from Lepaul to edge out Le Mans 3-2.

Rennes had started brightly. Lepaul opened the scoring as early as the 5th minute, before Rongier doubled the lead at 26. A comfortable advantage that seemed to promise a straightforward evening. But the promoted Sarthe side had other ideas: Mafouta, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot (30th, 54th), brought Le Mans level at 2-2 and completely revived the contest.

Rennes did enjoy a numerical advantage from the 68th minute after Sidibé’s red card just 43 seconds after coming on. Despite their extra man, the Bretons struggled against a stubborn Le Mans, and goalkeeper Lemaître — drafted in at the last minute — had to be at his best to keep the score level. The decision finally came in added time, on a penalty awarded following VAR intervention for a handball by a Le Mans defender. Lepaul, who had scored the opening goal, stepped up to convert despite the opposing goalkeeper guessing correctly.

With four points from two matches, Rennes join the leading pack alongside Paris FC, Lille, Lyon and Troyes. Le Mans, sitting 13th with one point, can nonetheless take positives from a brave performance against opponents of a different calibre.