Lepaul converts late as Rennes climb into top four | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Rennes beat Le Mans 3-2 at Roazhon Park. Estéban Lepaul opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a precise finish after Adrien Thomasson's pass. Valentin Rongier doubled the lead (26.), Louis Mafouta replied (30.), and after a VAR check for Przemysław Frankowski's handball (51.), Mafouta converted from the spot (54.). Djibril Sidibé was then sent off for Le Mans (68.), and Rennes' pressure told with 64.0% possession and 22 attempts to 12. In the second minute of second half stoppage time VAR confirmed a Rennes penalty for Noa Boissé's handball, and in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time Lepaul converted to lift them from eighth to fourth, with Angers up next and Le Mans away to Nice.

Player of the Match: Estéban Lepaul drove the result with a brace, including a composed late penalty, and four shots on target from six attempts.

Stat of the Match: Rennes produced 22 attempts, a sustained volume that eventually forced the decisive opening.

Three Things We Learned: Lepaul is now top of the Ligue 1 scorers with three goals. Rennes' 64.0% possession underpinned their control of territory and late pressure. Le Mans finished with 10 men after Djibril Sidibé's dismissal, and both penalties followed VAR handball checks that proved decisive.