Lyon shocked by Rennes as Mehdi Zeffane haunts his old club

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:14 am

Mehdi Zeffane broke Lyon's hearts with the winner on his return to his former club as Rennes held on to record their first away win of the season, a narrow 2-1 Ligue 1 victory at Stade de Gerland.

The visitors took the lead through Pedro Henrique early on before Nabil Fekir levelled but new signing Zeffane, who spent 12 years with Les Gones -- coming through the youth ranks -- won the match after 55 minutes to send his side fourth, while Hubert Fournier's men dropped to ninth.

The visitors took an early lead after seven minutes as Henrique nicked the ball off Lyon summer signing and debutant Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, arriving in the 18-yard box before shooting low past home goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

But just five minutes later, last year's Ligue 1 runners-up clinched an equaliser after 22-year-old France striker Fekir netted his first goal of the season after a nice cutback from former Manchester United defender Rafael.

Pedro Henrique celebrates after putting Rennes in front.
JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP/Getty Images

Fekir came close to putting his side ahead midway through the first half but he fired Henri Bedimo's cross high over the bar before Alexandre Lacazette was caught offside when put through on goal by Rafael.

Rennes came close to taking the lead for the second time on the stroke of half-time but Zeffane fired over.

The 23-year-old defender had better luck 10 minutes after the break as the summer signing netted his first goal for the away side in his second appearance as he slotted Yacouba Sylla's cross into the bottom corner from close range.

Mathieu Valbuena was thwarted moments later as Lyon tried to pull one back, while Jordan Ferri shot wide before Maxwell Cornet's header sailed over late on as Rennes held on for all three points.