OGC Nice 2-2 (3) Stade Rennais | Match Report

Stade Rennais progressed to the next round of the Coupe de France after defeating OGC Nice on penalties.

Alexandre Mendy opened the scoring for the hosts but after going down to 10 men, Rennes took full advantage and notched a late leveler through Ousmane Dembele. In extra time, Benjamin Andre put the Bretons ahead. However a surprise late penalty from Hatem Ben Arfa got the game back to a level footing - sending the game to spot-kicks.

The resulting penalties saw Rennes winning by seven goals to six. Missing for Nice were Wallyson, Franck Honorat and Gautier Lloris while Gelson Fernandes slotted away the winning penalty. Missing for the eventual winners were Juan Quintero and Benjamin Andre.

Confident Nice in First Half

Nice started the match on top, notching up their numbers on the possession stats as they never allowed Rennes any extended time on the ball.

Les Nicois took the lead on 39 minutes when Mendy got on the end of a parried ball off the line from goalkeeper, Benoit Costil. With the ball at his feet, the scorer made easy work of slotting the ball into the net.

Just before the break, Rennes thought they had struck a bit of luck when Giovanni Sio scored following a low cross by Pedro Henrique deep into the penalty box. Unfortunately for Les Rouges et Noirs, the linesman had his flag up for offside. Despite his protestations, replays showed that the Ivorian striker was a couple of yards ahead of play.

Chasing Rennes pressed in second half

Rennes became more of an attacking threat in the second period, restricting Nice to half-chances. However, the Bretons couldn't capitalize on the various gifts they were awarded in front of goal.

A bit of fortune came for Philippe Montanier's men when Nice midfielder, Vincent Koziello was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow in the 74th. Koziello was visibly upset following his dismissal but there was no argument of his sending off due to the nature of his challenges.

Rennes stepped up a gear as they were still chasing the game with only a small part of it to go. Substitute, Quintero, gave his side a whole new lease of life and was more than lively on the ball. It would be the Columbian international who would assist the equaliser that was scored by Jeremie Boga. The on-loan Chelsea attacker appeared to be in an offside position when he notched - showing his team mate Sio how to score and get away with it in that position.

Nice were now up against the ropes, a man down and having to face 30 minutes of extra time up against a Rennes team that was rejuvenated which included young starlets as attackers.

Thrilling Extra Time

From the off Rennes could have went in front after Paul Baysse almost turned a cross into his own net. The defender had had an amicable game up to this point and was fortunate not to throw it away. The only players keeping Nice in the match were Baysse and the heroics of goalkeeper, Mouez Hassen.

The Nice number one acted brave on occasion, getting himself in the way of a potential winning chance from Dembele. Furthermore, he pulled off a world-class stop to deny Andre from just outside the box.

At the other end, Costil also had to make a game defining save to deny late sub, Honorat. Hitting from an acute angle, the striker mustered an impressive effort which forced the French international keeper to get down low to place a vital palm on the ball.

The long period of dominance from Rennes finally paid off when they eventually went in front through Andre. At last the centre-mid managed to beat his Everest to strike a thunderbolt past his nemesis, Hassen - a goal thought to be the game-winner. Little did anyone know what was to come.

Rennes tried their utmost to keep their heads under the pressure of tiredness. Strangely enough, Romain Danze had other ideas when he needlessly obstructed Baysse who had gone deep into the box. The Breton captain was given his first red card in a Rennes shirt, with a tally of 309 matches played. Ben Arfa calmly slotted the following penalty down the middle to draw the game once more and send the match to a shootout.

There were chances for both teams to wrap the match up earlier but they couldn't compose themselves enough to do so. On the second time of asking, Rennes won the bout after Fernandes converted his team's eighth penalty to triumph in the shootout 6-7.

In the next round of the Coupe de France, Rennes have a home tie against Bourg-en-Bresse Péronnas at Roazhon Park.

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