Kylian Mbappe was sent off for a shocking tackle as Paris Saint-Germain were stunned by Rennes in Saturday’s French Cup final, losing 6-5 on penalties after a dramatic game finished 2-2 at the end of extra time.
PSG substitute Christopher Nkunku blazed his sudden-death spot-kick over the bar in the shootout, sparking scenes of joy among the Rennes fans at the Stade de France as they won a first trophy in almost half a century.
“It has been talked about enough at the club in the last few weeks for us to realise that we have achieved something historic,” said Rennes coach Julien Stephan.
It was a remarkable comeback from the Brittany side, who had seen Dani Alves and the returning Neymar give Ligue 1 champions PSG a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
Thomas Tuchel’s side appeared poised to wrap up a domestic double, but Presnel Kimpembe’s own goal gave Rennes hope and Edson Mexer headed them level in the 66th minute to take a gripping final – attended by President Emmanuel Macron – to extra time.
Penalties were already looming when Mbappe, who endured a frustrating evening, was shown a straight red card in the 118th minute for a dreadful challenge on Damien Da Silva. The France star caught the Rennes defender on the knee with his studs, and can expect a lengthy ban.
“He had a slight muscle injury yesterday, he stopped training early and went to hospital for tests. Maybe that was in his head,” said Tuchel.
“You got the feeling he was lacking confidence and didn’t feel free. The red card at the end, it’s not him.”
Without him, PSG fell short of securing the double in Tuchel’s first season in charge, which will also be remembered for the Qatar-owned club’s Champions League exit to Manchester United in the last 16.
“I am sad,” said Neymar. “We weren’t quite up to it, but there is no point crying about it now. There is nothing we can do.”
They had been looking to win the Cup for the fifth year running, but instead it is traditional underachievers Rennes – owned by luxury goods mogul Francois Pinault, one of France’s richest men – who celebrate a famous victory.
It is their first silverware since the 1971 French Cup and also means a return to the Europa League next season.
“We can stop talking about being losers. This title will change the history of the club,” added Stephan.
