Ligue 1: Embolo Stays Hot as Rennes Thrash Strasbourg to Enter Top Four

Rennes hit three past Strasbourg to make it three Ligue 1 wins in a row

Breel Embolo continued his fine form as Rennes thrashed Strasbourg 3-0 to record a third straight Ligue 1 win and boost their UCL hopes.

Three goals in 12 minutes gave Rennes a win at Strasbourg, lifting them to fourth in Ligue 1 and denting the hosts’ European push...

Rennes thrashed UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finalists RC Strasbourg Alsace 3-0 to claim a third straight Ligue 1 win and move into the top four.

 

Unbeaten in their last four home league games, Strasbourg started stronger and should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes with the game’s first clear chance.

Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana raced through on goal and rounded the keeper, but lost his composure and rolled a tame effort at the retreating Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, who cleared off the line just in time.

That proved a turning point in the half, as the visitors took charge and carved out chance after chance.

  

Musa Al-Taamari looked Rennes’ biggest threat with his pace, but Mike Penders smothered his shot after a sharp burst created the opening. Penders had impressed in the first half, yet he was at fault for the opener when his poor kick went straight to Sebastian Szymanski.

The Polish midfielder reacted fast to slip the ball to Esteban Lepaul, who slotted into the bottom corner for his 17th Ligue 1 goal of the season.

  

Penders made amends with a big double save to deny Al-Taamari and Ludovic Blas, but the hosts still went in deservedly behind at the break.

Gary O’Neil’s side failed to respond after the break and quickly unraveled, conceding twice in quick succession. For the first, Lepaul turned provider with a flicked header that looked to be going in, but Breel Embolo made sure by chesting it over the line.

🔴 Huge win on the road
⚫️ 4 consecutive matches unbeaten
🔴 Currently 4th in Ligue 1
⚫️ STADE RENNAIS pic.twitter.com/kE3BD4RmoC

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 19, 2026

Less than two minutes later it was 3-0. Al-Taamari finally got his reward, finishing clinically after Blas slipped him through with an incisive pass.

  

Needing a response, Strasbourg made a triple change just before the hour mark and nearly pulled one back when Martial Godo’s mishit volley struck the post.

 

They couldn’t find a way back, though. The win leaves Rennes one point behind third-placed Lille, boosting their push for UEFA Champions League football next season.

 

The defeat leaves Strasbourg likely to finish mid-table, eight points off the top six. It may let them put more focus on their UECL campaign.