In a stunning turn of events on the opening day of the Ligue 1 season, a resilient Rennes side, playing with 10 men for over an hour, defeated Marseille 1-0 with a brilliant last-minute strike. The dramatic victory ended the visitors’ impressive run of five consecutive wins in league openers and sent a clear signal of Rennes’ fortitude.
The match began with a tentative feel, as both teams showed signs of early-season rust. The first real opportunity fell to last season’s joint-top scorer, Mason Greenwood of Marseille, but his effort from a promising position sailed over the crossbar.
The game’s complexion changed just after the half-hour mark when Rennes were reduced to 10 men. Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Michael Amir Murillo, leaving the hosts with a daunting task ahead.
Despite the man disadvantage, Rennes’ defence stood firm as Marseille intensified their pressure. Adrien Rabiot came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors, hitting the post in first-half stoppage time. Rennes, however, proved they were still a threat, with Valentin Rongier forcing a strong save from Geronimo Rulli with a powerful strike.
The second half continued with Marseille dominating possession and creating chances. They were once again denied by the woodwork when Murillo, the player fouled for the red card, saw his header hit the post just before the hour mark. Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba was a standout performer, making excellent saves to deny both Leonardo Balerdi and Murillo, keeping his side in the game.
Against the run of play, Rennes delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time. Ludovic Blas, with a moment of individual brilliance, scored with a fierce strike that clinched a sensational and hard-fought victory for the hosts.
The result is a phenomenal achievement for Rennes, particularly given the circumstances against a team expected to challenge for the title. For coach Habib Beye, the clean sheet is a major positive, marking his side’s third in 11 matches. In contrast, Marseille’s new boss Roberto De Zerbi will be left thoroughly disappointed after his team’s wasteful performance cost them a crucial three points.
