Lille Triumphs Over Rennes: Bentaleb Makes Inspirational Comeback

In a thrilling Ligue 1 encounter, Lille secured a 2-0 victory against Rennes, propelling them past Lyon into fifth place. The match took a decisive turn following Christopher Wooh’s red card, setting the stage for Nabil Bentaleb’s emotional goal. Bentaleb, who had recently resumed his career after suffering a cardiac arrest, found the net in his return to action. Chuba Akpom, filling in for the absent Jonathan David, sealed the win with a late goal.

Match Overview

The first half saw both teams engaged in a cautious, chess-like game with few clear-cut chances. Lille’s Bafodé Diakité tested Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba early on, while Rennes failed to register a shot on target before halftime.

A turning point came when Wooh handled the ball in the box, resulting in a penalty for Lille. However, Samba brilliantly saved Akpom’s spot-kick, keeping the game goalless at the break.

The match’s complexion changed dramatically in the 74th minute when Wooh received a red card. Lille capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Bentaleb scoring a poignant goal six minutes later. Akpom then added a second, cementing Lille’s victory and ending Rennes’ resistance.

Key Performances

Brice Samba shone for Rennes, making several crucial saves including the penalty stop. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as Lille’s pressure told in the final stages.

For Lille, Bentaleb’s goal was the highlight, marking an incredible return to football following his health scare. Akpom, despite his penalty miss, persevered to score and contribute significantly to Lille’s win.

This result sees Lille bounce back from their previous defeat against Le Havre, while Rennes suffer a setback under new coach Habib Beye.