Rennes Football Club secured a crucial victory over their rivals Brest with a stunning penalty shootout, securing a clean sheet and leaving the Breton champions in second place in the French Ligue 2 table.
The match was played at Stade de la Bastille in Rennes on Saturday, March 4th, with both teams showing remarkable resilience throughout the game. In the first half, it looked like Brest would be able to claim a valuable point, but Rennes' defensive efforts prevented any further progress.
In the 85th minute, Rennes goalkeeper Thomas Lemaitre made a crucial save from a late shot from Brest's striker. This allowed Rennes to enter the penalty shootout, where they dominated for most of the shootout.
With only one player missing through injury, Rennes' goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stepped up to take the first kick. He saved perfectly, putting Rennes ahead 1-0. The following kicks were all taken by Courtois, who maintained his composure and saved every time.
Despite Brest's best efforts, they couldn't find a way past Courtois in the shootout. With Rennes winning 4-2, they moved into second place in the league standings, just behind leaders Metz.
This win was a major boost for Rennes, who had been struggling in recent matches. It also provided some much-needed momentum as they look to build on their success this season.
Brest, meanwhile, will have to wait until next week to find out if they can climb back into the top four. But for now, Rennes have secured a clean sheet and a valuable point, giving them hope for a brighter future in Ligue 2.