PSG are STUNNED by Rennes as they suffer their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season, with star-studded front line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe failing to have a shot on target during frustrating afternoon
- PSG suffered their first league defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 to Rennes
- A Nuno Mendes own goal was followed by a strike by Flavien Tait after half-time
- Lionel Messi struck the crossbar and Kylian Mbappe saw a goal disallowed
- Rennes could have inflicted more misery but late penalty call was overturned
- Mauricio Pochettino’s side will remain top of the table ahead of internationals
Paris Saint-Germain crashed to their first defeat of the league season as their all-star strikeforce was left frustrated at Rennes.
Lionel Messi struck the crossbar with a free-kick, Kylian Mbappe saw a goal disallowed by VAR for offside and Neymar skied a brilliant chance right in front of goal on an afternoon to forget.
PSG actually failed to register a single shot on target and Rennes took full advantage with Nuno Mendes putting a Kamal Sulemana cross into his own net before Flavien Tait made it two.
It might have been worse for PSG, who’d won their opening eight league games prior to this setback, when Achraf Hakimi conceded a late penalty, only for VAR to overturn the original decision.
Lionel Messi watches on as Rennes celebrate their second goal, scored by Flavien Tait
Rennes celebrates after taking the lead thanks to a Nuno Mendes own goal in the first-half
Tait (left) then caught PSG completely cold to double the lead immediately after half-time
Neymar helps his attacking partner Kylian Mbappe to his feet after a missed opportunity
Mauricio Pochettino’s table-topping side went all-out in what always threatened to be a tough away assignment with Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria all starting in a formidable attack.
Rennes were forced onto the back-foot in the early stages with Mbappe appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty after one burst into the box saw him end up in the floor.
The ball fell kindly for Neymar just yards from goal in the 23rd minute but the Brazilian shot recklessly and saw the ball fly into the stands with Mbappe, just behind him, frustrated the chance wasn’t left for him.
But when Mbappe did get a sniff of goal shortly afterwards he too blazed over from a promising position.
Kylian Mbappe charges forward past Warmed Omari of Rennes during the opening period
Messi slips over as the ball escapes his control during a difficult afternoon at Roazhon Park
Messi was a whisker away from the breakthrough on 31 minutes when his free-kick 25-yards out cannoned back off the crossbar with Rennes keeper Alfred Gomis beaten.
And Rennes would punish these missed chances on the stroke of half-time. Mendes got the final touch under pressure from Gaetan Laborde after Sulemana crossed invitingly from the left.
Rennes had played in the Europa League less than 72 hours earlier but there was no sign of fatigue as they doubled their advantage within seconds of the restart.
Laborde turned provider as he stole in behind a dozing Paris defence and crossed into Tait to score.
Neymar on the ball under pressure from two Rennes players during the first-half on Sunday
Neymar delivers a cross as PSG search for a goal during a challenging afternoon at Rennes
Neymar was hugely disappointing and taken off for Mauro Icardi in a final throw of the dice 15 minutes from time.
But he couldn’t muster a shot on target either and Rennes were awarded a late penalty when Hakimi fouled, only for VAR to intervene.
It was PSG’s first away league defeat in eight months and only their second of the campaign so far, having lost to Lille in the Champions Trophy.
The result also represented a huge comedown after their impressive display against Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek.
