PARIS (AFP) - Kylian Mbappe was sent off for a shocking tackle late in extra time as Paris Saint-Germain were stunned by Rennes in Saturday's (April 27) French Cup final, losing 6-5 on penalties after a dramatic game finished 2-2 at the end of extra time.
Substitute Christopher Nkunku blazed his sudden-death spot-kick over the bar in the shootout, sparking scenes of joy among the Rennes fans at the Stade de France as they won a first trophy in almost half a century.
It was a remarkable comeback from the Brittany side, who had seen Dani Alves and Neymar give Ligue 1 champions PSG a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
Thomas Tuchel's side appeared poised to wrap up a domestic double, but Presnel Kimpembe's own goal just before the break gave Rennes hope and Edson Mexer headed them level in the 66th minute to take a gripping final - attended by President Emmanuel Macron - to extra time.
Penalties were already looming when Mbappe was shown a straight red card by referee Ruddy Buquet for a dreadful challenge on Damien Da Silva near the corner flag.
The France star caught the Rennes defender on the knee with his studs, and can expect a lengthy ban as a result.
Without him, PSG fell short of securing the double in Tuchel's first season in charge, which will also be remembered for their Champions League exit to Manchester United in the last 16.
Instead, it is traditional underachievers Rennes who celebrate a historic victory, their first silverware since the 1971 French Cup also meaning a return to the Europa League next season.
NEYMAR BACK AMONG GOALS
Few of their fans would have imagined that possible after the way they started the game, with PSG looking more like their former selves as Neymar made his first start in three months after injury.
Alongside him, Angel Di Maria was back for his first appearance in more than a month, as PSG went looking for their second trophy in seven days.
Rennes had been knocked out of this competition following heavy defeats by PSG in the earlier rounds in each of the last two seasons, and another hiding looked on the cards as PSG went 2-0 up early on.
The opener came in the 13th minute when a corner fell to Alves just outside the area and he met the ball with a volley from 20 yards that flew low into the corner.
The second goal came midway through the first half, as a stray Hatem Ben Arfa pass was intercepted by Alves and it was Di Maria who sent Neymar through to score with a delightful chip over Tomas Koubek, who had come off his line.
It was a 21st goal of the season for the world's most expensive player, despite that enforced three-month hiatus.
- Rennes battle back - Rennes roused themselves to finish the half strongly, however, and Mbaye Niang struck a post before they reduced the arrears five minutes from the interval. Hamari Traore crossed from the right and Kimpembe sliced the ball into his own net.
They continued to cause problems to PSG at the start of the second half, and it was not a surprise when Rennes equalised in the 66th minute as Clement Grenier's corner from the left was headed home by Mexer, a rare goal from the Mozambican defender.
Into extra time they went, with Tuchel sending on Edinson Cavani, another PSG star who has spent much of the recent weeks on the sidelines.
Neymar set up Mbappe for a shot against the post, but proof that Rennes had done more than just ruffle PSG's feathers came when France's golden boy was sent off. It was not to be his or PSG's night, for once.
Home » News » News » Goalkeeper Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Goalkeeper Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 On February 28, 2019 9:42 am In
Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 - Football
Football. Home football Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in as securing a Premier League top-four finish last year and it could come in handy as they
Football: Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead
Barcelona took a step closer to the La Liga title after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp. Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Europa right for us: Ole, Football News & Top Stories - The
A fourth participating team will be confirmed by next month. Returning to Singapore for 1st time since 1995. An official statement from the club said, "We are delighted to announce that the First Team squad will travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of our pre-season tour in July in preparation for the 2019/20 season.
Fans are invited to watch the Champions League final on the giant screen at Space by M&S Bank Arena, The Auditorium Liverpool and the convention centre, on Saturday June 1. The screening, which is in association with BT Sport, the exclusive live broadcaster of the competition in the UK, will show
Champions League Final 2019 Live Screening - safra.sg
'Happy' Morata slays Malta. Mar 28, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Morata double gives Spain win over defensive Malta. Mar 27, 2019, 6:04 am. Schar's concussion sparks calls for Uefa probe.
'Comfortable' Morata slays Malta - Latest News
Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at a rainy Goodison Park on Sunday.
Soccer-Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to
Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year. Van Dijk is one of the favourites for the award after helping Liverpool deliver a sustained Premier League title challenge, while
Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year | IOL
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against at the Camp Nou after drawing Barcelona on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the safety net of
Manchester United vs Barcelona: Sergio Busquets should have
bigsportsnews.com/soccer/manchester-united-vs-barcelona-sergio-busquets-should-have-been-sent-off-says-ole-gunnar-solskjaer/
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was disappointed that Sergio Busquets was not sent off during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday night. United have another mountain to climb in this year's Champions League after losing the home leg of their quarter-final tie against the Catalans.
Solskjaer aims to replicate spirit of '99 at Manchester United
How Liverpool's belief has ensured fate is in their own hands for the Champions League final the brilliant Ukrainian was left broken. Klopp's Reds have the quality to kick any number
Reds have the belief - LancsLive
The Real Madrid defender believes the team is bigger than the now Juventus forward, and his departure will not stop them from getting new trophies. In an article published by Sportskeeda, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said that even without Cristiano Ronaldo, the team will keep on winning. "You had to dig a little deeper.
Even Without Ronaldo, Real Madrid Remain - deadspin.com
Mohamed Salah completed a memorable day for Egyptian football by retaining his African Player of the Year award in Senegal Tuesday. The 26-year-old Liverpool star finished first with club-mate
Salah retains African Player of the Year award- Samaa Digital
Klopp: This is just the first step - Zimbabwe Today
0 comments:
Post a Comment