Ferran Torres scores twice on debut to rescue Paris Saint-Germain against Rennes

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes after substitute Ferran Torres scored twice on his first appearance for the club, rescuing his side from defeat in the opening round of Ligue 1.

The match was played at Rennes’ home ground, where the hosts established a two-goal lead before Torres changed the course of the game after half-time.

Rennes opened the scoring through Sebastian Szymanski, who produced an outstanding finish from outside the penalty area. His strike gave the home side the advantage and put Paris Saint-Germain under early pressure.

The hosts then doubled their lead when Esteban Lepaul converted from inside the area after receiving a pass from Przemysław Frankowski. Rennes held on to their 2-0 advantage until the interval, leaving Paris Saint-Germain with a significant deficit to overcome in the second half.

Torres began the match on the bench, with Ousmane Dembele starting for Paris Saint-Germain. At the beginning of the second half, however, Torres was introduced as a substitute for Dembele.

The change proved decisive.

Torres reduced the deficit in the 71st minute after being played through by Fabian Ruiz. The Spain forward kept his composure when faced with the goalkeeper and finished between the keeper’s legs to give Paris Saint-Germain hope of recovering a point.

He completed the comeback 11 minutes later, heading home an equaliser in the 82nd minute. Once again, Ruiz provided the delivery, sending in a cross which Torres met with a header to make it 2-2.

The result meant Rennes were denied victory despite leading by two goals at half-time, while Paris Saint-Germain avoided defeat in their first league match of the campaign.

Torres’ contribution was particularly notable given that it came on his first appearance in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt. His two goals earned him the player-of-the-match award, completing an impressive debut after he had started the game among the substitutes.

The forward’s introduction provided Paris Saint-Germain with the attacking impact they had been missing during the first half. His movement created the opportunity for the first goal, before his aerial finish from Ruiz’s second cross levelled the contest.

Paris Saint-Germain will now turn their attention to their next league fixture, against Lille on Friday, 28 August, in the second round of Ligue 1.