Neymar on target but Rennes draw with PSG leaves Lille closer to French title
PARIS: Neymar was on target the day ater signing his contract extension but Paris Saint-germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Rennes on Sunday that leaves Lille a step closer to a remarkable Ligue 1 title triumph.
PSG led at half-time ater Neymar converted a controversial penalty award, but they were pegged back in the second half as Serhou Guirassy headed in the equaliser.
Presnel Kimpembe was later sent off for Mauricio Pochetino’s side, who could not get back to winning ways on their return to domestic action following their Champions League semifinal exit against Manchester City.
PSG are now three points adrit of Ligue 1 leaders Lille, who know they will be champions for the first time since 2011 by taking four points from their remaining two matches of the season.
The Parisians have won the French title in seven of the last eight years but they have regularly wobbled this season and the decision to replace coach Thomas Tuchel with Pochetino during the winter break looks like it will not have the desired impact.
Lille had opened up a provisional four-point lead by winning 3-0 at Lens on Friday, with Burak Yilmaz scoring twice.
It appeared PSG might respond in kind, despite being without the suspended Kylian Mbappe or the injured Marco Verrati in Britany.
They were given the chance to take the lead in first-half stoppage time when referee Ruddy Buquet surprisingly awarded a penalty ater reviewing footage of Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd atempting to block a Layvin Kurzawa shot.
Neymar marked Saturday’s announcement that he had extended his contract until 2025 by stroking home from the spot.
However, Rennes are chasing European qualification and they went looking for the equaliser, geting their reward 20 minutes from time when Guirassy headed in Benjamin Bourigeaud’s corner.
PSG were then reduced to 10 men three minutes from time when Kimpembe’s lunge on Jeremy Doku earned the defender a straight red card.
PSG’S last two games are at home to Reims and away at relegation-threatened Brest, while Lille finish at home to Saint-etienne and away at Angers.
Earlier, a first senior goal for Belgian youngster Eliot Matazo gave Monaco a 1-0 win at Reims that kept the principality club on course for a top-three finish and a return to the Champions League.
Teenager Matazo, signed from Anderlecht aged 16 in 2018, struck in the 20th minute and Monaco then saw out the victory to get back on track ater losing at home to rivals Lyon last weekend.
The principality side were beaten 3-2 in that game and were then leapfrogged by Lyon ater they defeated Lorient 4-1 on Saturday.
However, Sunday’s victory took Niko Kovac’s side back up to third on 74 points, one point beter off than Lyon.