Shock in Ligue 1: Rennes Outplay PSG in Stunning 3–1 Victory

Rennes Shock Champions PSG 3–1 — A Tremendous Ligue 1 Upset

On 13 February 2026, in a result few saw coming, Stade Rennais produced one of the season’s biggest surprises by defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 at Roazhon Park in Ligue 1. The victory was built on clinical finishing, disciplined defending and strategic precision from a Rennes side that entered the game with pressure mounting after a tough run of form.

Rennes Didn't Care About PSG's Status

What looked on paper like another PSG road win turned into a dramatic evening for the hosts. Rennes took advantage of a highly competitive performance to dismantle the French champions, halting PSG’s title momentum and providing a huge morale boost to their own campaign. Goals from Mousa Al-Tamari, Esteban Lepaul and Breel Embolo condemned PSG to a shock loss, despite the visitors holding the majority of possession.

Rennes magic! 🏆 Samba, Al‑Tamari, Lepaul & Embolo after stunning PSG 3‑1 😄🔥

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Match Statistics

Statistic	Rennes	PSG
Final Score	3	1
Possession	33%	67%
Total Shots	13	22
Shots on Target	4	7
Corners	5	8

Despite being largely out-possessed and out-passing PSG, Rennes were decisive in the final third, making their chances count and showcasing defensive resilience when under sustained pressure.

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Key Moments

• 34′ – Mousa Al-Tamari fired a stunning effort from distance to break the deadlock and send Roazhon Park into raptures.
• 69′ – Esteban Lepaul headed home from a Sebastian Szymanski corner to double Rennes’ lead.
• 71′ – Ousmane Dembélé pulled one back for PSG with a strong aerial finish, briefly shifting momentum.
• 81′ – Breel Embolo sealed the comeback with a composed finish after a lightning break.

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Rennes Tactical Success

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Rennes lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, built to be compact defensively while allowing swift transitions via wide outlets and direct midfield play. This system allowed them to:

✅ Remain structurally solid through two holding midfielders

✅ Support quick breaks that exploited PSG’s forward positioning

✅ Get numbers into attacking pockets without abandoning defensive shape

Their disciplined positioning frustrated PSG’s dominant possession and converted fewer chances more efficiently — a classic effective underdog performance.

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Rennes’ Key Players

Here are the hosts’ standout performers, all of whom played pivotal roles in securing the win:

🧤 Brice Samba (GK)

Commanding presence at the back, keeping Rennes in the game early with key saves.

⚔️ Mousa Al-Tamari (Forward)

Opener of the match with a high-quality strike — set the tone.

🎯 Esteban Lepaul (Attacking Mid)

Always dangerous in the box and excellent delivery from set pieces.

🚀 Breel Embolo (Forward)

Came off the bench to finish the decisive third goal.

🛡️ Defensive Unit & Midfield Pairing

Rongier and Camara anchored the midfield, giving protection to the back line and feeding the attack efficiently.

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Summary

This was more than a surprise result — it was a tactical statement. Rennes engineered a classic underdog performance: absorb pressure, exploit chances, and finish ruthlessly. PSG’s dominance in possession was of little consequence when they failed to convert their superiority into goals.

For Rennes, the win provides a surge in confidence and league positioning. For PSG, it’s a reminder that no result can be taken for granted in Ligue 1 — even when title hopes are high.