Lyon thrashed Rennes 4-2 in a thrilling Ligue 1 encounter, with Corentin Tolisso's commanding midfield display and clinical finishing proving decisive at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Lyon secured a dominant victory over Rennes on May 3, climbing to third place with 57 points from 31 matches. The hosts entered the match in strong form, having won their last three games. Rennes, sitting fifth with 56 points, came to Lyon seeking to maintain their unbeaten streak of four matches.
The match exploded into life immediately. Mousa Tamari fired Lyon ahead in the sixth minute, giving the home crowd an early boost. Rennes absorbed the pressure before Roman Yaremchuk equalized in the 37th minute, dragging the visitors back into contention.
Lyon regained the lead moments later through a Corentin Tolisso penalty in the 42nd minute. The midfielder's composure from the spot proved crucial. Tolisso would finish the match with a rating of 8.7, adding two assists alongside his goal to orchestrate Lyon's attacking play.
Rennes looked dangerous despite trailing. Their high press created problems for Lyon's defense. However, the hosts maintained their intensity as the first half drew to a close, establishing control in midfield where Tolisso dominated proceedings.
The second half saw Lyon pull away decisively. Esteban Lepaul extended their advantage in the 48th minute, scoring just two minutes after the restart. The momentum had shifted entirely toward the home side, who controlled possession at 50 percent but converted their chances with clinical efficiency.
Afonso Moreira added a fourth goal in the 52nd minute, effectively settling the contest. Lyon's attacking prowess overwhelmed Rennes' defense. Endrick sealed the victory with a fifth goal in the 75th minute, though Rennes pulled one back through Lepaul's own contribution to make the final score 4-2.
Statistically, Lyon dominated the shot count with 17 total attempts compared to Rennes' eight. The hosts registered nine shots on target against Rennes' five. Lyon's expected goals (xG) of 2.61 reflected their superior chances created, while Rennes managed just 0.77 xG despite their spirited efforts.
Yaremchuk's performance earned a 7.9 rating, while Lepaul (7.6) and Tamari (7.3) stood out for Rennes despite the defeat. Endrick contributed significantly with a rating of 8.5, while Moreira added 8.3 to Lyon's attacking arsenal.
The victory moves Lyon closer to the top two as the season enters its final stretch. Rennes, despite the loss, maintains their strong position in fifth place. Lyon's next challenge will test whether they can sustain this winning momentum in their pursuit of European qualification.
