Rennes rout Nice as Haise returns; Lille stunned late by Lorient

Stade Rennais produced a statement victory on Sunday, thrashing OGC Nice 4–0 at the Allianz Riviera in Franck Haise’s emotional return to his former club, while Lille were held to a dramatic late draw by Lorient in the Ligue 1 multiplex.

Rennes’ fourth consecutive league win sees the Bretons move firmly into the European race, climbing above Lille into fifth place. Meanwhile, LOSC suffered a cruel blow in their pursuit of the Champions League places after conceding a spectacular stoppage-time equaliser.

Rennes ruthless on Haise’s return

Rennes delivered a devastating performance in Nice, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes and never looking back.

The visitors struck first in the 13th minute when Arnaud Lepaul finished from close range after a slick attacking move initiated by Sebastian Szymanski. The Polish midfielder then doubled Rennes’ lead just seven minutes later, his effort deflecting past Marcin Bulka after a driving run from Mousa Al-Tamari.

Nice briefly threatened to respond but failed to convert their opportunities. Rennes remained the more clinical side and sealed the result in the second half.

Substitute Ludovic Blas produced the moment of the match in the 74th minute, dribbling past several defenders before calmly finishing across goal to make it 3–0. Nordi Mukiele added a fourth in stoppage time to complete the rout.

It marks Rennes’ fourth consecutive Ligue 1 victory and their third since Haise took charge, underlining a dramatic turnaround in form.

For Nice, the defeat deepens their crisis. The Aiglons remain dangerously close to the relegation play-off spot and were loudly jeered by supporters at full-time.

Lille denied by Avom wonder strike

At Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille looked set to claim a vital victory thanks to a moment of brilliance from Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

The Spanish forward opened the scoring in the 65th minute with a superb chest control and delicate lob following a long pass from Nabil Bentaleb.

But Lorient refused to give in and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. After a partially cleared free-kick, Avom Ebong unleashed an extraordinary 30-metre volley that flew into the top corner, stunning the home crowd and rescuing a 1–1 draw. The late equaliser could prove costly for Lille, who slip behind Rennes in the standings and miss an opportunity to strengthen their Champions League push.

Brest continue strong form

Elsewhere, Stade Brestois continued their impressive run with a 2–0 home victory over Le Havre. Romain Del Castillo opened the scoring just before half-time with a superb first-time lob after spotting goalkeeper Yahia Fofana off his line. Ludovic Ajorque secured the points in the second half, finishing a well-worked move for his seventh league goal of the season.

The result extends Brest’s unbeaten run to six matches and keeps Eric Roy’s side firmly in the conversation for European qualification.

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