Ligue 1: Rennes Move into Top Five with 4-1 Win Over Monaco

Rennes thrash 10-man Monaco 4-1

Mahdi Camara was the hero for Rennes, scoring one goal and providing two assists as they secured a convincing 4-1 win over Monaco.

This was Rennes' biggest winning margin of the 2025/26 season, and it moves them into the top five of Ligue 1...

Rennes secured a convincing 4-1 win over Monaco, moving them into the top five of Ligue 1. Mahdi Camara was instrumental in the victory, scoring one goal and providing two assists. This marks Rennes' biggest winning margin of the 2025/26 season.

Monaco's struggles continued, suffering their third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat. They had hopes of bouncing back from their 4-1 loss to RC Lens last weekend, but it wasn't their day. Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return, coming on in the 85th minute, marking his first competitive appearance in over two years.

Monaco's frustration began when George Ilenikhena's goal was disallowed due to offside, leaving the striker and away fans frustrated. The frustration turned to exasperation in the 20th minute when Mahdi Camara delivered a beautiful cross, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal expertly volleyed it home, giving Rennes the lead.

Monaco's response was underwhelming, with their first real chance coming just after the half-hour mark, when Ansu Fati's header was easily gathered by Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba. The first half was disappointing for Monaco, with little meaningful action, despite Paul Pogba's eager presence on the bench, fresh from a two-year doping ban.

He was a mere onlooker, however, as Monaco wilted under some serious Rennes pressure only three minutes after the restart, when the provider of their first-half strike turned goalscorer in the second.

In the right place at the right time, Camara gratefully accepted a gift from Lukas Hradecky, who was only able to palm Musa Al-Taamari’s fierce strike into his path, allowing the box-to-box midfielder to head home the rebound.

Mohammed Salisu made a crucial clearance off the line to prevent another goal, but Monaco's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Denis Zakaria received a straight red card in the 66th minute for a reckless challenge on Esteban Lepaul. This left Monaco down to 10 men, making it difficult to mount a comeback.

4 consecutive matches unbeaten for Stade Rennais 🔴⚫🔥 pic.twitter.com/gSydXEiXWF

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 22, 2025

And if Rennes’ first hat-trick of Ligue 1 victories since February 2024 wasn’t already assured, it certainly was just seven minutes later, as former Monaco employee Embolo headed Przemysław Frankowski’s cross past Hradecky.

Monaco’s embarrassment was compounded on 83’, when Ludovic Blas powered home from the penalty spot after Kassoum Ouattara brought down Camara inside the box.

Rennes' emphatic win has rejuvenated their UEFA Champions League hopes, moving them into the top five of Ligue 1. The Red and Blacks are now looking confident of a European return.

Monaco, on the other hand, continues to struggle, with only three wins in their last 11 games across all competitions. The Monégasques are in a tough spot, having lost three consecutive Ligue 1 matches.