PARIS, April 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Kylian Mbappe was sent off for a shocking
tackle as Paris Saint-Germain were stunned by Rennes in Saturday’s French Cup
final, losing 6-5 on penalties after a dramatic game finished 2-2 at the end
of extra time.
PSG 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 has been talked about enough at the club in the last few weeks for us
to realise that we have achieved something historic,” said Rennes coach
Julien Stephan.
It was a remarkable comeback from the Brittany side, who had seen Dani
Alves and the returning 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 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, who endured a frustrating
evening, was shown a straight red card in the 118th minute for a dreadful
challenge on Damien Da Silva. The France star caught the Rennes defender on
the knee with his studs, and can expect a lengthy ban.
“He had a slight muscle injury yesterday, he stopped training early and
went to hospital for tests. Maybe that was in his head,” said Tuchel.
“You got the feeling he was lacking confidence and didn’t feel free. The
red card at the end, it’s not him.”
Without him, PSG fell short of securing the double in Tuchel’s first season
in charge, which will also be remembered for the Qatar-owned club’s Champions
League exit to Manchester United in the last 16.
“I am sad,” said Neymar. “We weren’t quite up to it, but there is no point
crying about it now. There is nothing we can do.”
They had been looking to win the Cup for the fifth year running, but
instead it is traditional underachievers Rennes — owned by luxury goods
mogul Francois Pinault, one of France’s richest men — who celebrate a famous
victory.
It is their first silverware since the 1971 French Cup and also means a
return to the Europa League next season.
“We can stop talking about being losers. This title will change the history
of the club,” added Stephan.
– Neymar back among goals –
Few of their fans would have imagined it possible after the way they
started, with PSG looking more like their former selves as Neymar made his
first start in three months after injury.
Rennes had been knocked out of this competition following heavy defeats by
PSG in each of the last two seasons, and another hiding looked on the cards
as they went 2-0 down.
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 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 before Angel Di Maria 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.
– 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 in the second half, and it was no
surprise when Rennes equalised as Clement Grenier’s corner was headed home by
Mexer, the Mozambican defender.
Into extra time they went, and 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 his or PSG’s night,
for once.