Le Havre Refuses Defeat: A Crunch Match Undone by VAR Drama

Sehr unterhaltsam Futmetrix-Wertung: 69/100. Stade Océane witnessed a six-pointer where VAR became the villain, annulling two Rennes goals and transforming tactical warfare into refereeing chaos.

The Intensity at Stade Océane: Two Teams Fighting for Redemption

Rennes controlled the tempo from kick-off, with Breel Embolo opening the scoring in the 10th minute after a pinpoint pass from Esteban Lepaul. The visitors appeared dominant, commanding 57% possession and carving out clear chances. But football punishes complacency: Le Havre, languishing in 14th and desperate for points, refused to fold. The Balance shifted when Issa Soumaré levelled from the penalty spot at the 45th-minute mark, dragging the hosts back to 1-1 at half-time.

The VAR Nightmare: Two Phantom Goals and a Match That Slipped Away

The second half descended into arbitral chaos. At the 25th minute, Lepaul thought he'd doubled Rennes' lead, only for VAR to erase it. Then, at the 71st minute, Embolo saw his second goal of the afternoon wiped out by technology. Two annulments that fundamentally altered the Stakes. Le Havre seized the moment: Rassoul Ndiaye, fed by substitute G. Kyeremeh's introduction at the 64th minute, struck at the 79th to snatch a 2-2 draw. The hosts transformed an apparent defeat into a precious point through offensive freshness and Rennes' VAR-induced misery.

Lepaul Shines Despite VAR's Theft

With one goal and an assist, Lepaul emerged as Rennes' orchestrator, yet he was robbed of a second by the officials. Soumaré and Ndiaye shouldered Le Havre's attacking burden, each finding the net once. The numbers tell a story of Rennes' dominance—85% pass accuracy, 543 total passes—against Le Havre's clinical finishing (10 shots to Rennes' nine). A point apiece, but two phantom goals that will haunt Rennes forever.