Nuamah’s Two Goals Lift Lyon Past Rennes 4-0

Lyon defeated Rennes 4-0 at Groupama Stadium on Saturday, with Ernest Nuamah scoring twice before Zachary Athekame and Corentin Tolisso completed a decisive Ligue 1 victory. Lyon led 2-0 at half-time and finished the fifth-round match without conceding.

Nuamah gives Lyon early control

Lyon made the first breakthrough in the seventh minute. Corentin Tolisso provided the assist for Ernest Nuamah, who opened the scoring. The visitors were then booked when Quentin Merlin received a yellow card in the 16th minute, after Moussa Niakhaté had been cautioned for Lyon in the second minute.

Nuamah struck again in the 30th minute, this time with Pavel Šulc supplying the assist. The second goal established a two-goal interval advantage and gave Lyon a firm platform for the second half. Nuamah finished with four shots on target and two key passes during his 73 minutes.

Second-half goals settle the contest

Lyon extended its lead three minutes after the restart. Zachary Athekame scored in the 48th minute, with no assist recorded for the goal. Athekame later turned provider, setting up Tolisso for Lyon’s fourth goal in the 76th minute.

Both teams made several changes as the match progressed. Rennes introduced Esteban Lepaul, Mousa Al-Tamari and Ludovic Blas between the 61st and 62nd minutes, while Lyon replaced Šulc with Khalis Merah in the 64th. Nuamah left for Kail Boudache in the 73rd minute, and Rennes also brought on Mahamadou Nagida for Merlin.

Rennes had possession but lacked finishing efficiency

The scoreline reflected Lyon’s greater precision in front of goal, although Rennes had more of the ball. Rennes recorded 54% possession, 470 total passes and 396 accurate passes, compared with Lyon’s 46%, 410 and 346. Rennes also won eight corners to Lyon’s three.

Lyon nevertheless produced nine shots on goal from 15 total attempts, while Rennes managed four on target from 13. The visitors had nine shots inside the box and eight off target, but could not convert their periods of possession into a goal. Lyon goalkeeper D. Greif made four saves, while Rennes’ goalkeeper made five.

Lyon moves above Rennes on points

The result lifts Lyon from eight points after four matches to 11 after five, while Rennes remains on 10 points. Lyon’s record becomes three wins and two draws, while Rennes takes its first defeat after starting with three wins and a draw. Lyon’s goal difference improves from four to eight, and Rennes’ falls from three to minus one.

Nuamah was the standout performer, earning a 9.6 rating after his two goals, four shots on target and two key passes. Tolisso also made a major contribution with a goal, an assist and four tackles. Six yellow cards were shown in total, four to Lyon and two to Rennes, with no red cards.