Kalimuendo Double Downs Nice as Rennes Sign Off at Home in Style

Rennes delivered a clinical performance in their final home match of the season, defeating European hopefuls Nice 2-0 thanks to a superb brace from Arnaud Kalimuendo. While the visitors dominated large portions of possession and created more chances, their wastefulness in front of goal combined with decisive VAR interventions ultimately left them empty-handed in Brittany.

Kalimuendo Leads the Way

In a rain-drenched Roazhon Park, Rennes needed just 15 minutes to open the scoring. Ludovic Blas, bright on the left flank, produced a teasing cross that Kalimuendo expertly turned home at the near post. It was his 39th goal for Rennes and the 60th of his Ligue 1 career, underlining his reputation as one of the division's most clinical finishers.

Nice, who had arrived in Rennes on the back of 10 points from a possible 12 and fully in the hunt for Champions League qualification, responded well. Antoine Mendy struck the post with a header midway through the first half, and Jérémie Boga forced a fine save from Brice Samba just after the break. But their fortunes turned on two crucial VAR decisions.

VAR Drama and Missed Chances

First, what appeared to be a stunning second goal for Rennes by Djaoui Cissé was ruled out after VAR spotted a foul by Kalimuendo in the build-up. Then, in the 66th minute, Nice were awarded a penalty after Hicham Boudaoui went down in the box—but the spot-kick was chalked off for an offside by Gaëtan Laborde in the same phase of play.

These decisions proved pivotal. Moments later, Rennes doubled their lead. After winning the ball deep, the home side surged forward through Cissé and Matusiwa, who slipped a clever pass through to Kalimuendo. The French striker kept his composure to slot past Marcin Bulka for his second of the evening.

Wasteful Nice Left to Regret

Despite registering 13 shots to Rennes’ 10 and holding more possession in the second half (53%), Francesco Farioli’s side couldn't break through a resilient Rennes defense led by Lilian Brassier and Anthony Rouault. Even with six substitutions—including tactical changes and a concussion protocol swap—Nice lacked sharpness in the final third.

Brice Samba, who made key stops throughout, was outstanding in goal, while Rennes also introduced fresh legs like Seko Fofana and Mohamed Kader Meïté to manage the closing stages effectively.

The result leaves Nice in a precarious position in the race for Europe, with one game remaining at home to Brest. Rennes, safely mid-table and now on 41 points, will conclude their campaign with a trip to Marseille.

THE STAT: The fox in the box

Arnaud Kalimuendo scored his 16th and 17th Ligue 1 goals of the season, as many as his first two campaigns with Rennes in Ligue 1 McDonald's combined (17). He scored 96% of his Ligue 1 goals from inside the box (51/53)

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