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.
Luis Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay due to ankle sprain Luis Suarez, 32, is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days after limping off late in Sunday's 4-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga.
Injured Luis Suarez Ruled Out of China Cup - News18
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be favourite to be named Manchester United manager next season because he has restored the club's "culture and identity" after being put in caretaker charge
Football: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives stars 'licence to
VOW is celebrating hitting £1m in new sales growth from its successful First range of furniture. Following the launch of First range in May last year, sales have grown 25 per cent month on month.
Veterans Opportunity to Work Home
Kean subject to racist abuse, Juve teammate Bonucci says he incited crowd Emmeline Moore 03 Apr 2019 12:36 Despite scoring for Juventus, Moise Kean (centre) had a frustrating night in Cagliari as
Leonardo Bonucci Issues Tone-Deaf '50-50 Blame' Reaction to
Football: Rafael Benítez fumes as Wolves deny Newcastle with another stoppage-time equaliser LONDON (THE GUARDIAN) - Rafael Benítez must hate it when the fourth official holds up the board for added time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 31, 2019, with the headline 'Sarri tips Callum to be future Blues star'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Sarri tips Callum to be future Blues star - theworldnews.net
Football: PSG coach Thomas Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack at French Cup final Thomas Tuchel (left) blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players while
PSG Coach Thomas Tuchel Hits Out at Neymar after Fan Attack
DUBAI (REUTERS) - Son Heung-min played an influential role in keeping South Korea at the Asian Cup on Tuesday (Jan 22) but warned his team mates they needed to step up their game if they want to
Asian Cup 2019 news: South Korea lack edge without Son and
(Reuters) - ARSENAL 3 BURNLEY 1 . Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats.
EPL: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over
Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Paris since April 3. The Paris Saint-Germain forward posted a photo on his Instagram account on Monday of
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - CGTN
That enabled Wolves to pour forward, and in the 77th minute they got the winner thanks to a Smalling own goal after a scramble near the line. The result left Manchester United fifth in table on 61
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1, again
City must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero looks on during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and
We must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola
Hammers pack a punch: Klopp, Football News & Top Stories
0 comments:
Post a Comment