RENNES: Champions League-chasing Rennes equalised in the fifth minute of injury time, and scored the winner three minutes later, twice rallying to beat Nantes 3-2 in Ligue 1 on Friday.

A tense Brittany derby looked to be won by Nantes, who took the lead for the second time when Nigeria winger Moses Simon made it 2-1 in the 80th minute.

But Rennes midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud equalised with a slightly deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area in injury time, after latching onto midfielder Eduardo Camavinga’s pass.

Brazilian forward Raphinha netted his second moments later in a dramatic finale, turning the ball in from close range after goalkeeper Alban Lafont saved striker M’Baye Niang’s shot.

The goal was ruled offside but then awarded following a video review, sparking angry confrontations between opposing players in a heated match twice held up because of flares thrown from the stands.

It was an important win for third-placed Rennes, who moved to two points behind second-placed Olympique de Marseille. The team finishing second gains automatic entry into the Champions League, while the side in third goes through the playoffs.

Sixth-placed Nantes went ahead in the 47th, with Rennes captain Damien Da Silva scoring an own goal after Camavinga’s attempted clearance bounced off him.

Raphinha equalised in the 71st in a bizarre situation.

After Rennes was awarded a penalty following a VAR check, Niang picked up the ball only for Raphinha to ask if he could take it.

Niang missed a penalty against Lafont this season, and Lafont denied him this time only for the loose ball to roll straight to the advancing Raphinha for a tap-in.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2020