PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (PSG) CLIMB TO THIRD PLACE WITH A STRIKING LIGUE 1 WIN OVER RENNES, SECURING A 3-1 VICTORY ON THE ROAD

PSG defeated Rennes 3-1 away from home to climb up to third position in the Ligue 1 standings with 15 points, two behind leaders Monaco. After losing their first game of the season, Rennes currently sits ninth. In actuality, they were only unable to match the caliber of their opponents when it mattered most, especially in the last third of the game.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Rennes 3-1 thanks to goals from Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Randal Kolo Muani, allowing them to resume their winning ways in Ligue 1.

Vitinha gave goalkeeper Steve Mandanda no chance as he curled a dipping drive into the top corner from the edge of the area to open the scoring.

Four minutes later, Hakimi extended PSG's lead by nodding in a cross from Warren Zaire-Emery. Mandanda then denied Kylian Mbappe in a one-on-one, and the first half concluded with a 2-0 score.

Amine Gouiri of Rennes scored a skillfully crafted goal to cut the deficit to one, but PSG quickly regained their two-goal lead when Kolo Muani, a substitute, scored with his first touch.

PSG was wasteful in the last minutes and should have won by more goals. Bradley Barcola, the substitute, squandered a fantastic opportunity to score his first goal for PSG due to a terrible first touch, while Mbappe, who had just skillfully dribbled past the weary defense and wrapped Mandanda, missed an open goal.

The victory puts PSG two points behind leaders Monaco in third position with 15 points. Rennes lost for the first time this season and now sit eighth.

KOLO MUANI SENDS A MESSAGE–TALKING POINT

Luis Enrique demonstrated faith in his under-fire talents by leaving Kolo Muani out of the starting lineup that played in Newcastle, despite the team losing 4-1. All there is, bar Kolo Muani.

But Goncalo Ramos faltered early on and blew the one significant opportunity that came his way. On the other hand, Kolo Muani scored with his very first touch, scored from a chance that was called back for an offside throughout the build-up, and connected with his teammates—especially Mbappe and Hakimi—more brilliantly.

Although this PSG team still has a distinct identity, Kolo Muani's inclusion appears to have improved it significantly.

VITINHA, the Player of the Match (PSG)

In addition to scoring the crucial opening goal with elegance, he also dazzled with his link-up play, providing other opportunities with cutting through balls.

PLAYER SCORES

Rennes: Rieder 4, Gouiri 6, Kalimuendo 6, Mandanda 7, Assignon 7, Omari 6, Theate 5, Belocian 5, Bourigeaud 5, Matic 6, Blas 5. Subs: Terrier 5, Yildirim 6, Truffert 5, Le Fee 5, Doue 5.

PSG: Vitinha 8, Dembele 6, Ramos 5, Mbappe 7, Donnarumma 7, Hakimi 8, Skriniar 6, Marquinhos 7, Hernandez 6, Zaire-Emery 7. Kolo Muani8, Barcola4, Ruiz5, Soler n/a are the substitutes.

MATCH SUMMARY

AVOID! 12' - Kalimuendo is denied a tap-in as Donnarumma, at full stretch, dives out and grabs Blas' low cross. outstanding goalkeeping.SCOOP! PSG 0-1 RENNES (VITINHA) 32' - Marquinhos backheel on his own byline initiates a PSG attack. As the ball passes halfway, Ugarte feeds Dembele. The winger cuts in from the right, giving Vitinha opportunity to shoot. After moving the ball to his right foot on the edge of the box, the Portuguese forward curls a stunning shot that goes over Mandanda and into the top corner.

GOAL: PSG 0-1 RENNES (VITINHA) 32' - Marquinhos backheel on his own byline initiates a PSG attack. As the ball passes halfway, Ugarte feeds Dembele. The winger cuts in from the right, giving Vitinha opportunity to shoot. After moving the ball to his right foot on the edge of the box, the Portuguese forward curls a stunning shot that goes over Mandanda and into the top corner.

SCOOP! RENNES 0-2 PSG (HAKIMI) 36'-Emery Zaire, who seemed to be in minimal action, finds Hakimi with a fantastic cross from deep, and the Moroccan drives in.

SCOOP! PSG 1-2 RENNES (GOUIRI) 56' - Assignon creates a square ball in PSG's half, passes it to Blas, who touches it with his foot, and then crosses it to Gouiri, who shoots past Donnarumma at the back post. Rennes responded with a wonderfully placed goal.

SCOOP! PSG 1-3 RENNES (KOLO MUANI) 58': Hakimi eludes Gouiri and crosses so Kolo Muani may peer through the net's roof at the near post. With his first touch after entering the game, a magnificent finish.

EXTRA POST! Yildirim scores on a free kick awarded to Rennes in the 86th minute, but his looping header bounces off the post.

A WORSE GIRL! 86': PSG immediately attack the opposing end, and Mbappe scores an unguarded goal by dribbling past Assignon and around the goalkeeper!