Le Mans FC suffered a cruel 3-2 defeat at Rennes this weekend in Ligue 1, a penalty converted deep into stoppage time sealing their fate. Estéban Lepaul's 90th+6 minute goal, following a Noa Boissé handball spotted by VAR, handed the Bretons victory in a dramatic match reported by the BBC.
Le Mans, currently sitting 13th in the league with just one point from two games, nonetheless put up a brave fight. The team's recent form reads LD with a -1 goal difference, having scored 4 and conceded 5 this season. They now find themselves six points behind leaders Lille ahead of their next fixture at Nice this Friday, September 5th.
How did the match turn in stoppage time?
Everything seemed headed for a draw after a tightly-contested game. But in the 90th+2 minute, a shot from Arnaud Nordin struck the arm of Noa Boissé in the box. The referee was sent to the VAR screen and eventually pointed to the spot. Estéban Lepaul converted coolly, triggering an excessive celebration that earned him a yellow card. That goal made it 3-2 to the hosts, crushing Le Mans's hopes.
Did Le Mans almost equalise after that penalty?
Yes, and in dramatic fashion. Immediately after Rennes's goal, Le Mans players launched a final assault. Antoine Rabillard won a free-kick in the attacking half at 90+12. From the resulting delivery, Alexandre Lauray powered a header on target, but Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Lemaître made the save. Seconds later, Rabillard was involved again in a promising move, but he was flagged offside by VAR after appeals for a potential penalty. Those two missed chances in the dying seconds summed up the evening's frustration for the club, which is also dealing with the absences of Erwan Colas and Samuel Yohou, currently on the injuries list.
What was the mood like at the end of the match?
The closing minutes were electric and tense. Before the decisive penalty, Przemyslaw Frankowski and Lucas Buadés had already tussled over a free-kick. After the goal, emotions ran high. Le Mans's Harold Voyer and Rennes's Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal each received a yellow card at 90+12 for rough fouls. Ludovic Blas had also won a valuable free-kick for his side a moment earlier. This frantic finish showed the high level of commitment from both teams, but it was Rennes who kept their composure at the critical moment.
For Le Mans FC, focus now shifts to the trip to Nice, who are 17th in the table. A quick reaction will be needed to improve their standings position and avoid getting stuck in the lower reaches. The performance at Rennes, though unrewarded, proves the team has the ability to compete.
