Rennes win French Cup final shootout to end PSG reign
Rennes won the French Cup after beating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a penalty shootout on Saturday, coming back from 2-0 midway through the first half to force extra time and penalties.
French 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.
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) waves ahead of the French Cup final soccer match between Rennes and PSG at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, April 27, 2019. /VCG Photo
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' superb volley from the edge of the penalty area from a corner and then lobbed the goalkeeper after being put clean through by Angel Di Maria's pass in the 22nd minute.
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.
Neymar of PSG reacts after being called for a foul during the French Cup final against Rennes at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, April 27, 2019. /VCG Photo
Persistence paid off for Rennes when, two minutes later, a crossing from the right forced Presnel Kimpembe into a rash attempt to clear the ball and he, instead, diverted past Areola for an own goal.
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.
Kylian Mbappe (front) of PSG reacts after receiving a red card from referee Rudy Buquet after his foul on Damien Da Silva of Rennes during the French Cup final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, April 27, 2019. /VCG Photo
Mbappe was sent off just before the end of injury time for a foul on Damien Da Silva just below his knee, followed by a straight red card shown by referee Ruddy Buquet.
Neymar was returning to the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his right foot in January. The Brazil star was shown a yellow card late in the first half for making a late challenge on a Rennes defender.