Ferran Torres double rescues PSG in dramatic draw at Rennes

Ferran Torres scored twice in the second half as Paris Saint-Germain recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rennes in a Ligue 1 thriller.

The match was switched to Rennes after damage to the pitch at Parc des Princes, and the home side quickly took advantage of the change in venue.

Rennes went ahead after only nine minutes when Sebastian Szymanski met Adrien Thomasson’s pass and struck a spectacular shot beyond Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.

PSG appeared to have restored parity when Desire Doue finished confidently, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Luis Enrique’s team continued to apply pressure, with Ousmane Dembele coming close to scoring before Rennes extended their lead three minutes before half-time.

Esteban Lepaul doubled the advantage with an accomplished first-time finish from Przemysław Frankowski’s cut-back, leaving Rennes 2-0 ahead at the interval.

Enrique reacted by making two changes during the break, introducing Torres and Mika Godts. The substitutions gave PSG greater urgency in attack, although Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba was forced into important saves to keep out efforts from Doue and Warren Zaire-Emery.

Torres reduced the deficit in the 71st minute. He brought down a long pass from Fabian Ruiz and calmly finished to give PSG renewed hope of completing a comeback.

Doue then nearly levelled five minutes later, sending a powerful effort narrowly over the crossbar. PSG did not have to wait long for the equaliser, however, as Torres headed in another delivery from Ruiz to make it 2-2.

Paris Saint-Germain pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Rennes defended resolutely to secure a point. The result also denied Rennes a fifth consecutive victory in their opening Ligue 1 fixture.

Enrique said he was dissatisfied with parts of PSG’s first-half performance, while defending the decisions he made at half-time and insisting the final result was a positive one.

“All the time they say it’s easy to play in Ligue 1, but I remember no easy matches. The result for me is positive,” Enrique said.

The PSG manager argued that Rennes’ two goals were produced by unusual moments rather than sustained control of the match.

“I didn’t anticipate the changes. Rennes scored two goals in two unique actions. I don’t remember any easy away games,” he said.

Enrique’s decision to substitute Dembele at half-time also drew attention after the forward appeared frustrated. Dembele later said: “If everyone plays for themselves on the field, this is not going to work.”

Enrique rejected the significance of those remarks.

“These statements are worthless. They are the result of anger after a game, and I think that is clear,” he said.

Rennes manager Franck Haise acknowledged that Enrique’s interval changes had altered the contest and helped PSG fight back.

“It sends a strong message, but the outcome proved him right,” Haise said.