Dembélé’s Double Leads PSG to 4-1 Victory Over Rennes in Ligue 1 Showdown

PARIS (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé came off the bench to score twice in a 4-1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain against Rennes at Roazhon Park on Saturday, March 8, 2025. The win maintains PSG’s unbeaten record in Ligue 1 and expands their lead to 16 points over second-placed Marseille, which lost to Lens later that evening.

Bradley Barcola opened the scoring for PSG in the 27th minute, skillfully placing the ball through Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba’s legs. Dembélé’s late brace brought his league total to 20 goals for the season, marking a personal milestone.

PSG’s head coach, Luis Enrique, opted to rest captain Marquinhos ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Liverpool next week, having lost the first leg 1-0. Dembélé entered the game alongside Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench.

The first half saw PSG dominate possession, but mistakes after halftime allowed Rennes to threaten. Following Barcola’s first goal, Rennes made a push, with Ludovic Blas coming close to equalizing and 17-year-old Mohamed Meïté hitting the crossbar shortly after.

As PSG strived to maintain their lead, Barcola set up Gonçalo Ramos for a second goal in the 50th minute. However, Rennes clawed one back just three minutes later when defender Lilian Brassier capitalized on a defensive error.

Dembélé’s goals late in the match effectively sealed the victory for PSG, showcasing the team’s attacking strength. His first goal came from close range after a low cross from Achraf Hakimi. He then added a second goal with a beautifully curled shot from outside the box.

With this match, PSG’s scoring tally in Ligue 1 has reached 70 goals this season after 25 fixtures, underlining their offensive prowess. Despite their recent defeat to Liverpool, the team’s performance against Rennes demonstrated resilience and skill ahead of the Champions League second leg.

In a tactical shift, Rennes head coach Habib Beye commended his team’s efforts but acknowledged the need for flawless execution against formidable opponents like PSG. “We have made significant strides, but facing PSG requires perfection,” Beye stated post-match.

The victory puts PSG firmly in the driver’s seat for their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title, needing only 18 points in the remaining matches if Marseille continues their current form. The next match will again be against Rennes, highlighting the importance of consistency as the season unfolds.