Rennes rallies from 2 goals down to draw 2-2 with Lille. Struggling Lens loses to Metz

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This article was published 16/09/2023 (1114 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS (AP) — Rennes rallied from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Lille and remain unbeaten in the French league after five games.

However, four of those games have been draws and it could have been worse Saturday as Lille went ahead through 17-year-old center half Leny Yoro in the 33rd minute. He was paired alongside Samuel Umtiti, the former Barcelona and France defender who won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018.

Yoro almost scored again in the 62nd when his shot was well saved, but right back Bafodé Diakité followed up to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

In a match where defenders stood out with their scoring ability, Rennes right back Lorenz Assignon pulled a goal back in the 74th and then set up striker Ibrahim Salah for a 90th-minute equalizer.

Lille is in fifth place with eight points while Rennes is in seventh spot.

In Saturday’s other game, Lens remained winless after losing 1-0 at home to promoted Metz, which climbed above Rennes into sixth place.

Lens won admirers after pushing eventual champion Paris Saint-Germain all the way last season in a close title race. But coach Franck Haise’s side seems not to have recovered from selling last season’s club top scorer Loïs Openda and midfielder Seko Fofana.

Sweden forward Joel Asoro turned in a cross from the left in the 37th and Metz held on without too much trouble.

PSG lost 3-2 at home to Nice on Friday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer