Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 31, 26/04/2026
Rennes have won the Brittany Derby against FC Nantes courtesy of former Canaris captain Valentin Rongier, whose 92nd-minute effort proved the winner. Ignatius Ganago previously cancelled out Estéban Lepaul’s opener.
Four days after losing to Ligue 1 leaders PSG at Parc des Princes, relegation-strugglers FC Nantes had another mammoth task at hand with a tough away fixture against fifth-placed Rennes. Franck Haise’s Bretons started on the front foot, bolstered by the prospect of playing in Europe next season and sending their Nantes rivals to the second tier.
Nantes came undone in the first ten minutes as Musa Al-Tamari was sent through on goal by a simple through ball from Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal. The Jordan international tried to round past Anthony Lopes, and the former Lyon goalkeeper was adjudged to have fouled him. Estéban Lepaul stepped up from the spot to bury his 18th Ligue 1 goal this season.
Rennes’ intense pressing prevented their opponents from building up their attacking phases. Nantes’ best opportunities stemmed from set-pieces, with Brice Samba parrying away Nicolas Cozza’s header from a corner. The centre-back would overhit a volley to miss Samba’s open net from a couple of yards out: Nantes’ Ligue 1 season in a nutshell.
As the first half drew to a close, the momentum switched with Nantes winning more duels and covering more ground. A long ball from Cozza fell to Ignatius Ganago, who outmuscled Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal before chipping Brice Samba with a stunning volley.
In the second half, Rennes surprinsingly sat deep, inviting pressure from Nantes. At the hour mark, Lepaul found the back of the net again, but his 19th strike this season was rightfully chalked off for offside. Substitute Sebastian Szymański also saw his goal disallowed for offside.
Both teams had chances to race ahead, and one of the final ones fell to Valentin Rongier. The former FC Nantes captain tried his luck from outside the penalty box on a second ball from a corner. His left-footer fizzed home at the near post. For the second time in three games, Nantes conceded in injury-time. Rennes remain on course for Champions League football whereas Les Canaris are still five points adrift from Auxerre with three games left to spare.
Brice Samba – 5
The France international started well with a nice save to parry away Cozza’s header, but he won’t escape scrutiny for the way he conceded Ganago’s long-range equaliser.
Quentin Merlin – 4
Lilian Brassier – 5
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal – 4
Alidu Seidu – 5
Musa Al-Tamari – 5
The Jordan international was heavily involved in Rennes’ most convincing spells this afternoon. He obtained a penalty early on and generally ran himself to the ground. He’s a bit too eager though, and guilty of too many offside offences.
Mahdi Camara – 4
Valentin Rongier – 6
Ludovic Blas – 3
The former Nantes midfielder was ineffective on the right wing, lost many balls and made little to no difference. Logically the first Rennes player to be replaced by Franck Haise.
Esteban Lepaul – 6
Breel Embolo – 4
Anthony Lopes – 5
Nicolas Cozza – 6
Ignatius Ganago – 6
The former New England Revolution hurt Rennes’ centre-backs with his physicality and his hold-up play. He injected much-needed belief into his teammates with a brilliantly-taken volley, his first Ligue 1 goal from open play in nearly three years. Worth the wait.
