Rennes Wins French Cup After Intense Penalty Shootout, Ends PSG's Reign
![Rennes Wins French Cup After Intense Penalty Shootout, Ends PSG's Reign Rennes Wins French Cup After Intense Penalty Shootout, Ends PSG's Reign](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTY4MDA3ODcwMjIzNTU4MDE2/renne_wins_french_cup_over_psgjpg.jpg)
PARIS — Rennes won the French Cup after beating Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout on Saturday, coming back from 2-0 midway through the first half to force extra time and penalties.
The first five players from each side put their penalties away, but after forward Ismaila Sarr made it 6-5 for Rennes, Christopher Nkunku nervously skied his shot to send Rennes fans into rapture and end PSG's bid for a fifth straight cup win.
PSG seemed on the way after Neymar set up Dani Alves's superb volley from the edge of the penalty area from a corner and then coolly lobbed the goalkeeper after being put clean through by Angel Di Maria's pass in the 22nd minute.
🏆🇫🇷 In his first start since January, @neymarjr chips the @staderennais keeper to double the @PSG_English lead!#CoupedeFrance Final:
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 27, 2019
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💻: https://t.co/8Vw2z7cxwS pic.twitter.com/zK0AyLdvTo
Rennes striker M'Baye Niang hit the post in the 38th after expertly turning center half Marquinhos and curling a shot past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Persistence paid off for Rennes when, two minutes later, a cross from the right forced Presnel Kimpembe into a rash attempt to clear the ball and he, instead, diverted past Areola for an own goal.
🏆🇫🇷 Kimpembe deflects the ball into his own net and @staderennais are back within a goal of @PSG_English #CoupedeFrance Final:
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 27, 2019
📺: beIN SPORTS
💻: https://t.co/8Vw2z7cxwS pic.twitter.com/2wyOH7jeRh
PSG's chronic weakness on set-pieces, glaringly exposed in a 5-1 defeat at Lille and a 3-2 defeat at Nantes, again resurfaced when Edson Mexer profited from passive marking to head in Clement Grenier's corner in the 66th.
🏆🇫🇷 RENNES EQUALIZE!!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 27, 2019
After being down 2-0, @staderennais are level with @PSG_English in the #CoupedeFrance Final!
📺: beIN SPORTS
💻: https://t.co/8Vw2z7cxwS pic.twitter.com/CVTIs3CsU7
Neymar set up Kylian Mbappe in the first half of extra time but the prolific France striker hit the post, rather than passing to the unmarked Edinson Cavani, who reacted angrily.
Mbappe was sent off just before the end of injury time for a cynical lunge on Damien Da Silva just below his knee.
🔴 RED CARD 🔴
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 27, 2019
Kylian Mbappe sent off just minutes before @PSG_English face the prospect of a penalty shootout against @staderennais
🏆🇫🇷 #CoupedeFrance Final:
📺: beIN SPORTS
💻: https://t.co/8Vw2z7cxwS pic.twitter.com/LAUQn862jv
President Emmanuel Macron, who is a keen fan of PSG's bitter rival Marseille, shook hands and spoke with players from both sides as they were presented to him before the game.
Neymar was returning to the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his right foot in January. The Brazil star went on as a substitute against Monaco last Sunday, the day PSG won the league title for the eighth time in its history.
Neymar was shown a yellow card late in the first half for making a late challenge on a Rennes defender.