Torres scores twice on PSG debut to salvage draw at Rennes after World Cup winner

Ferran Torres marked his Paris Saint-Germain debut with two second-half goals to earn the French defending champions a 2-2 draw at Rennes in their Ligue 1 opener on Sunday, 23 August.

Torres, who joined PSG from Barcelona after scoring Spain’s World Cup-winning goal last month, came off the bench and struck in the 71st and 82nd minutes to prevent a second consecutive defeat for the club following their penalty shootout loss to Lens in the French Super Cup final.

Both goals were assisted by Torres’ Spain international teammate Fabián Ruiz, underlining the immediate chemistry the two carry over from their international partnership.

Rennes had looked comfortable after Sebastian Szymanski and Esteban Lepaul scored in the first half to put the hosts 2-0 ahead, but Torres’ introduction changed the game entirely. His brace denied Rennes what would have been a memorable opening-day victory over the reigning champions.

The result leaves PSG without a win to start their domestic campaign, a rare stumble for a club that has dominated French football in recent seasons. The draw will nonetheless offer some encouragement given the manner of the comeback, with Torres — one of the summer’s most high-profile signings — demonstrating his impact almost immediately.

For Rennes, the point will feel like a missed opportunity after leading for the majority of the match, though a draw against PSG on home soil is far from a poor return on the opening weekend.