Rennes climbed onto the Ligue 1 podium with a 4-1 win over Auxerre at Roazhon Park, as Estéban Lepaul and Adrien Thomasson put Franck Haise's side ahead before substitute Boulaye Dia's stoppage-time brace sealed the three points.
Match facts
- Result: Rennes 4-1 Auxerre (half-time 1-1)
- Competition: Ligue 1, Matchday 6
- Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes
- Scorers: Rennes - Estéban Lepaul 15', Adrien Thomasson 53', Boulaye Dia 90+2', 90+4'; Auxerre - Cameron Archer 25'
- Assists: Rennes - Charlie Cresswell (15'), Bryan Reynolds (53'); Auxerre - Mamadou Diop (25')
- Red cards: None
- Referee: Willy Delajod
- Next: Rennes host OFI in the UEFA Europa League, then visit Paris FC in Ligue 1; Auxerre travel to Le Havre
How the match unfolded
Rennes needed a response after a 0-4 defeat at Lyon before the international break, with Lyon and Paris FC already dropping points earlier in Matchday 6. Lepaul, who had just made his France debut in that window, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a volley from Charlie Cresswell's long ball — another early Rennes goal in a season where they have repeatedly scored inside the first half-hour.
Auxerre equalised on 25 minutes when goalkeeper Mamadou Diop's long clearance released Cameron Archer, who finished past Brice Samba. Archer became only the seventh player to score in each of his first four Ligue 1 appearances, underlining Will Still's side's threat on the break.
Eight minutes into the second half Thomasson restored the lead, heading in Bryan Reynolds' delivery for 2-1. Auxerre, without suspended Christ Makosso and injured Rayan Mandangue, stayed competitive — Mahamadou Nagida denied Archer a clear chance around the hour — while Diop later saved from Djaoui Cissé and Mahdi Camara as Rennes pushed for a third.
Haise introduced Dia and Ludovic Blas in the 77th minute, with Eliezer Mayenda also coming on. In the second minute of stoppage time Dia finished Blas's through ball low past Diop for 3-1. Two minutes later he swept in Reynolds' pass to make it 4-1, ending Auxerre's two-match winning run and removing any late doubt.
What the result means
Rennes rise to third, one point behind leaders Monaco, and remain Ligue 1's top scorers after six games. Auxerre drop after a spirited away display and travel to Le Havre looking to rebuild momentum.