Rennes dominates Sochaux in Coupe de France, Ibrahim Salah shines with a brace

Rennes triumphed over Sochaux, extinguishing the fervent dreams of the National (third division) resident in the Coupe de France with a commanding 6-1 win. Ibrahim Salah’s standout performance, including a powerful volley, solidified Rennes’ advancement to the quarter-finals, underscoring their impressive form.

Rennes, riding high from their success in the last four Ligue 1 matches, swiftly asserted their dominance at the Stade Bonal. Despite the early setback of Enzo the Fairy’s injury, the Bretons displayed unwavering confidence.

Julien Stéphan’s strategic prowess, evident in their previous round’s triumph over Marseille, permeated their performance, illuminating the disparity between the two teams.

Amine Gouiri initiated Rennes’ offensive onslaught with a sublime strike into the top corner (24th), breaking through Sochaux’s resilient defense.

Ibrahim Salah followed suit with a formidable volley from close range (29th), leaving Sochaux goalkeeper Mathieu Patouillet helpless.

The storm of Rennes’ attack continued, with Arnaud Kalimuendo adding to the tally by converting a cross from Adrien Truffert (35th) and securing a double with a clever ground-level strike (41st).

In just over a quarter of an hour, Rennes seamlessly bridged the gap of two divisions, leaving Sochaux trailing.

The second half mirrored the first, with Gouiri netting another goal (47th) after Ludovic Blas’s attempt was poorly repelled by Patouillet.

Rennes captain Benjamin Bourigeaud capped off the remarkable victory with a goal in the 81st minute. Despite Malcolm Viltard’s penalty for Sochaux (65th), celebrated as a symbolic triumph, the final whistle signaled the end of their Coupe de France journey.

For Sochaux, the venture, though met with defeat, resonates as a fairy tale. The century-old club, on the brink of bankruptcy, was salvaged by regional investors, local authorities, and Sociochaux, a supporter group that invested in both capital and governance.

The spirited atmosphere in the packed stadium reflected the collective joy of retaining their beloved club.

While Sochaux now sets its sights on reclaiming a spot in Ligue 2, Rennes continues their triumphant journey in the Coupe de France, showcasing talent and determination on the path to further glory.