Ferran Torres Rescues PSG in 2-2 Ligue 1 Draw at Rennes

Ferran Torres came off the bench to score twice as Paris Saint-Germain recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit to draw 2-2 at Rennes in their opening match of the Ligue 1 title defence.

Rennes were in control at the interval at Roazhon Park after goals from Sebastian Szymanski and Esteban Lepaul, but Torres changed the game after his introduction for the second half. The Spain World Cup winner, making his Ligue 1 debut for his new club, finished two assists from fellow Spain international Fabian Ruiz to bring PSG level.

The result followed PSG’s 1-0 defeat to Lens in the French Champions’ Trophy a week earlier. It also gave the champions an early reminder of the challenge facing them as they begin another league campaign, with the fixture moved from Paris because of the poor state of the Parc des Princes pitch.

Rennes build a first-half lead

PSG coach Luis Enrique had named Torres and summer signing Maghnes Akliouche among the substitutes. Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, both former Rennes attackers, started in the forward line alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Rennes coach Franck Haise handed Adrien Thomasson a league debut following his summer move from Lens. Thomasson played a decisive part in the opening goal after 21 minutes, feeding Szymanski, who struck a low shot from outside the box. Lepaul had helped create the opportunity with a precise header in the build-up.

The home side extended their advantage seven minutes before half-time. PSG had shown attacking intent and saw a Doue effort ruled out for offside, but Rennes struck on the counterattack. Moussa Al Tamari led the break before a delicate back-heel from the Egypt winger helped set up Lepaul.

PSG had opportunities but were unable to make them count before the interval. Dembele and Kvaratskhelia both failed to hit the target, leaving the visitors with significant work to do after Rennes established a 2-0 lead.

Luis Enrique turned to Torres for the second half, then introduced Akliouche and Ruiz with half an hour remaining. Those changes proved decisive as PSG finally found the cutting edge that had been missing earlier in the match.

Torres and Ruiz lead the recovery

Ten minutes after Akliouche and Ruiz entered the contest, PSG reduced the deficit. Ruiz supplied Torres, who made the most of the pass and nutmegged Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba to score his first goal for the club.

The pair combined again eight minutes from time to complete the comeback. Ruiz crossed for Torres, whose header beat Samba and brought the champions level at 2-2.

PSG pushed for a winner after Torres’s second goal and were on top in the closing stages, but Rennes held on to deny the visitors a third. Torres said the game had been difficult and credited Ruiz’s quality for providing the chances.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal as Lille began life under coach Davide Ancelotti with a 2-0 win at Angers. Tiago Santos added the second just after the half-hour mark. Monaco also began with a victory, with Eric Dier scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over newly promoted Le Havre.

For PSG, the immediate headline was Torres’s impact from the bench. His two goals prevented an opening-day defeat and ensured the champions began their league campaign with a point after a dramatic second-half recovery in Rennes.