PARIS: Ousmane Dembele scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool by winning 4-1 away to Rennes in Ligue 1 with a much-changed team on Saturday.

Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos had PSG 2-0 up in Brittany before Lilian Brassier pulled one back for Rennes, but Dembele netted twice in stoppage time to seal the victory for the visitors.

The Parisians are now a huge 16 points clear at the top, with closest challengers Marseille losing 1-0 at home to Lens later on Saturday.

Dembele was among the regular starters to be rested at kick-off, but he came off the bench just after the hour mark and the France forward’s double strike moves him onto 20 league goals for the campaign.

PSG went ahead at Roazhon Park on 27 minutes as Desire Doue quickly took a free-kick just inside the home half and released Barcola to run through and score his 18th of the season.

Barcola then turned provider as PSG doubled their lead five minutes after half-time, squaring for Ramos — one of those brought into the line-up — to net his 13th this season in all competitions.

Centre-back Brassier pulled one back for Rennes shortly after, heading in from close range after a corner had been flicked on.

PSG made sure of the points as Achraf Hakimi ran through on goal before unselfishly squaring for Dembele to make it 3-1 in the first minute of stoppage time.

Dembele then fired in his second and PSG’s fourth goal from the edge of the area in the 94th minute.

Marseille dominated from the off at home to Lens as they looked to cement their grip on second place.

However, they were denied by an obstinate Lens side and by some inspired goalkeeping from the visitors’ Mathew Ryan.

Lens won the game in the 94th minute as Deiver Machado set up Neil El Aynaoui to deliver the sucker punch.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Lille were 1-0 winners at home to Montpellier. Jonathan David scored the only goal early in the second half.

They entertain Dortmund on Wednesday after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Germany.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2025