Rennes Thrashes Saint-Etienne 5-0: Kalimuendo’s Hat-Trick Sparks Celebration

Rennes: After a tough stretch of three losses, Rennes finally found their rhythm by defeating Saint-Etienne 5-0. The match turned in their favor after Saint-Etienne’s Mathieu Cafaro was sent off in the first half, allowing Rennes to take control.

The game started with more excitement off the field as Rennes fans expressed their frustration over the team’s poor start to the season. A thick cloud of smoke from the stands caused a brief pause in play. Once the game resumed, both teams struggled to find their footing, with Rennes playing cautiously and Saint-Etienne sitting back defensively.

The first real chance came from Cafaro, who missed a one-on-one opportunity against Rennes’ goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, hitting the post instead. Cafaro later became the center of attention for the wrong reasons when he handled the ball in the box, leading to his red card and a penalty for Rennes. Arnaud Kalimuendo converted the penalty, scoring Rennes’ first goal since late October.

Just before halftime, Kalimuendo assisted Ludovic Blas, who skillfully maneuvered past a defender and scored with a powerful shot. With a two-goal lead and a man advantage, Rennes was in a strong position at the break.

In the second half, Rennes quickly capitalized on Saint-Etienne’s weakened defense. Blas delivered a perfect cross for Amine Gouiri to head in the third goal. Blas continued to shine, assisting Kalimuendo for the fourth goal before earning another penalty, which Kalimuendo converted for his hat-trick.

Despite having several chances to extend their lead, Rennes settled for a 5-0 victory. Saint-Etienne, now in 14th place, struggled to defend against Rennes’ relentless attack, while Rennes moved closer to the top half of the Ligue 1 standings. This win marked a significant turnaround for coach Jorge Sampaoli and his team.
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