Villarreal Edges Rennes 3-2 to Climb Top in Group Round
Villarreal traveled and came away with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Rennes, moving to the top of their group standings. The French side pressed relentlessly, taking the initiative on the scoreboard and keeping the tempo high throughout a match filled with intense exchanges and momentary disputes that arose after a VAR review and a late booking scramble. The decisive moment came in the 101st minute when Rennes applied pressure but could not seal the result as the final whistle neared.
The win kept Villarreal on track for a place in the round of 16, ensuring movement forward in the competition against their Champions League rivals. The result gave Villarreal direct access to the knockout stage, while Rennes, though dogged in defense and ambitious in attack, could not convert their momentum into a draw that would have altered the group’s balance.
Rennes started with intent and did not back down from Villarreal’s rhythm. They attacked with purpose and pressed high, testing the backline and asking questions of the visitors that required discipline and persistence from the midfield and defense. Villarreal, uncomfortable with the pace, found it tough to settle into their preferred tempo in the early stages, but they gradually found an outlet through their approach play and link-ups in the final third.
Marcelino García Toral’s side tried to scale back the tempo at times, aiming to calm the game and mobilize their most creative players. Yet Rennes pressed persistently, forcing Villarreal to defend in deeper areas at moments and content themselves with long balls or quick transitions to relieve pressure. The match’s early phases featured narrow angles and tight defenses, with Rennes often threatening through diagonal runs and counterattacks.
Villarreal gradually gained a foothold as key players started to influence the action. Gerard Moreno, functioning as the pivotal conduit between midfield and attack, started to connect more effectively with the forward line, while the movement of Akhomach offered fresh options in wide areas. The balance of play shifted steadily as Moreno provided the necessary ballast to Villarreal’s buildup, creating chances and opening spaces for teammates.
A pivotal moment arrived when a foul in the box on Baena earned Villarreal a favorable position and allowed them to gain the lead on the scoreboard. Moreno’s team lead did not endure for long, as Rennes responded swiftly and found a way to level the match with rapid, incisive touches that tested Villarreal’s resolve. The French side matched Villarreal’s intensity, and the game evolved into a high-stakes exchange with both sides trading blows.
Moreno delivered a decisive moment in stoppage time with a precise pass that opened the door for Baena, who could not convert at close range as Rennes keeper Mandanda stood firm. The match’s tension increased as the celebrations were tempered by the close calls and reviews that accompanied several key incidents in the final minutes.
Moments after a prevented second Villarreal goal, Manadian stood tall during a late VAR check, and a dispute over a potential foul involving Assignon led to a lengthy review. The crowd watched as the incident was resolved with Rennes retaining a glimmer of hope as time wound down. In the immediate aftermath, Villarreal pressed again, seeking a late breakthrough that would seal the victory.
After a sustained period of pressure, Akhomach produced a standout moment with a swift finish near the edge of the box, bending the ball past the keeper and extending Villarreal’s lead. The strike unleashed a roar from the home crowd and put Rennes on the back foot as they sought a response in the dying minutes.
The French side attempted to respond with renewed energy, but their late exchanges were not enough to erase the deficit. A renewed onslaught culminated in a goal-scoring sequence that briefly revived Rennes’ hopes, yet a second attempt did not cross the line before the referee’s final whistle. The closing phase highlighted Rennes’ willingness to fight until the end and Villarreal’s capacity to execute decisive moments under pressure.
In the aftermath, Villarreal’s tactical discipline and timely moments of creativity secured the victory and solidified their position atop the group. Rennes will reflect on missed opportunities and the balance of play that paradoxically produced a home win for the Spanish side, despite Rennes’ determination to take control at various junctures of the match.
Overall, the clash proved to be a compelling chapter in the group campaign, featuring high intensity, late drama, and a reminder of how football can swing in the closing minutes. The result elevated Villarreal’s prospects and left Rennes to regroup for their remaining fixtures in the competition, with both teams carrying lessons from a match that delivered both flair and tension to fans and observers alike. (Source: Movistar Plus+ and official match reports)