Rennes: Rennes kicked off their Ligue 1 season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Lyon at home on Sunday. Benjamin Bourigeaud and Amine Gouiri scored two quick goals in the first half, and Henrik Meister added the final touch with a stoppage-time goal.

Rennes started the match with energy, and the breakthrough came when Ludovic Blas earned a free-kick just outside the box. In the 19th minute, Blas set up Bourigeaud, whose powerful shot took a deflection off the wall and slipped past the wrong-footed Lyon goalkeeper.

Before the home fans had finished celebrating, Gouiri doubled Rennes’ lead just two minutes later. Lyon’s Moussa Niakhate played an underhit backpass, allowing Gouiri to intercept, round the goalkeeper Lucas Perri, and score from a tight angle. Rennes continued to press in the second half but could not add to their tally, needing a crucial save from veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to deny Georges Mikautadze a penalty goal in the 72nd minute.

**In injury time, Danish striker Meister secured the win with a right-footed shot from inside the box. “It’s just one match, three points. There’s still a long way to go. We’re happy, but we’re not getting carried away,” said Rennes coach Julien Stephan.

For Lyon, it was another disappointing start to the season. After a poor beginning last year, they eventually found form under Pierre Sage to become one of the top teams in Ligue 1 in 2024.

In other matches, Auxerre secured a last-minute victory against Nice with a goal from substitute Lasso Coulibaly, who scored five minutes into stoppage time after Rayan Raveloson had equalized Mohamed-Ali Cho’s 21st-minute opener.

Lens edged newly-promoted Angers 1-0 thanks to a brilliant 28th-minute goal from Wesley Said, who skillfully turned and shot past the goalkeeper. Nantes and Toulouse played to a goalless draw, while Montpellier and Strasbourg finished 1-1 with two goals in the second half.