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.
Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat 23 December 2018, MVT 20:44 Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola arrives for the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 22, 2018.
Football: Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat
Aussies power to Perth Test victory. The very factors that had been tipped to decide this second Test before a ball had been bowled in anger. Fourth Test, SCG. Australia squad: Tim Paine
Post-scandal Australia 'grit' hailed after 'best win' for decades
Asian Cup: 'proud' Son Heung-min sparks South Korea to easy win over China as Iran fire blanks
Iran Football Headlines - آخرین اخبار فوتبال ایران
Liverpool became the fourth English team to progress to Champions League last-eight. (Source: Reuters) Sadio Mane scored twice to hand Liverpool a 3-1 Champions League victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday as they nullified their German opponents with a dominant performance that sent them through to the quarter-finals.
Liverpool ease past Bayern Munich to join Man Utd, Man City
Football: Home United engage youth in MacPherson through photography and sport SINGAPORE - Singapore Premier League club Home United organised a photography exhibition at the MacPherson Community Club (CC) on Saturday (Dec 29), in what was a culmination of a community outreach programme aimed at youth living in MacPherson.
Latest HOME UNITED | The Straits Times
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. Thomas ALLNUTT. AFP April 30, 2019, 5:01 PM GMT. Ivan Rakitic says Messi is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of Liverpool semi-final
Messi's Motivation Spurs On Barcelona, Says Rakitic
newsblenda.com/post/football/messis-motivation-spurs-on-barcelona-says-rakitic.html
Rakitic believes Barcelona's home advantage is significant. "I understand he wanted to take a bit of pressure off his players, he wants them to see it as another stadium. All I can say is playing at Camp Nou is a different thing, something special and you have to respect that." Valverde added: "Our fans can be decisive.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined Sh5.8 million (£45,000, $59,000) by the Football Association on Thursday for suggesting referee Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham in his side's 1-1 draw
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - Breitbart
Mourinho has left United on the back of a bruising 3-1 defeat at Liverpool Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho as manager after two and a half years in charge. The Portuguese, 55, won the
Jose Mourinho sacked as Manchester United manager and set to
Football: Liverpool held at Everton to surrender top spot in
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has shockingly claimed that teammate Moise Kean must take some of the blame for inciting racist abuse from Cagliari fans during Tuesday's 2-0 win.
Leonardo Bonucci says 'no to racism' after Juventus team-mate
Sarri: 'Chelsea hard to motivate' By Football Italia staff Maurizio Sarri was furious with "difficult to motivate" Chelsea after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, but insisted he knows nothing about
Furious Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea players lack motivation
0 comments:
Post a Comment