Les Dogues were looking to get back on track at Stade Pierre-Mauroy following a 1-0 defeat away at Lyon last time out. However, up against a high-flying Rennes side, who hadn’t lost a Ligue 1 game in nine, it was seemingly going to be no straightforward task. In spite of the challenge that lay in front of them, Lille started brightly and dominated possession in the opening stages.
Rennes, who were looking to oversee a sixth straight league win for the first time since 2006, saw Benjamin Bourigeaud force a fine save from Lucas Chevalier, before Lille made their dominance count by taking the lead in the 16th minute through Jose Fonte, who pounced to steer the ball into the net from close range. Lille remained on top as the first half progressed, but lost Andre Gomes to injury before the interval.
After a low-key restart following half-time, a game-altering incident occurred when a VAR review was called to check a foul in the box for the visitors. After the review, referee Johan Hamel, who initially did not award the penalty, pointed to the spot, and Bourigeaud slotted the ball home to net his first league goal of the campaign to pull Rennes level.
In response to conceding, Lille immediately sought to restore their lead, as a Tiago Djalo header crashed against the right post, before Jonathan David agonizingly struck the left post moments later with his own headed chance. Les Dogues continued to push for a winner right until the death, but Rennes, who saw substitute Birger Meling shown a red card late on, held on to stretch their unbeaten record on the road in all competitions to eight games. Meanwhile, Lille’s run of three successive league victories at home came to an end.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Benjamin Bourigeaud (Stade Rennais FC)