• PSG supporters cheer for their team during the French Cup final against Rennes at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris on Saturday night. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    PSG supporters cheer for their team during the French Cup final against Rennes at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris on Saturday night. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Dani Alves celebrates scoring Paris Saint-Germain's first goal with Neymar and other teammates in the French Cup final against Rennes. Charles Platiau / Reuters
    Dani Alves celebrates scoring Paris Saint-Germain's first goal with Neymar and other teammates in the French Cup final against Rennes. Charles Platiau / Reuters
  • PSG's Neymar, left, seen arguing with Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek, right, made his first start in three months after injury. Thibault Camus / AP Photo
    PSG's Neymar, left, seen arguing with Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek, right, made his first start in three months after injury. Thibault Camus / AP Photo
  • PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, centre, reacts during the match at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, centre, reacts during the match at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Referee Rudy Buquet is unmoved as he Kylian Mbappe gives a red card. Martin Bureau / AFP
    Referee Rudy Buquet is unmoved as he Kylian Mbappe gives a red card. Martin Bureau / AFP
  • PSG forward Kylian Mbappe reacts as he receives a red card from referee Rudy Buquet. Martin Bureau / AFP
    PSG forward Kylian Mbappe reacts as he receives a red card from referee Rudy Buquet. Martin Bureau / AFP
  • PSG manager Thomas Tuchel looks on as Kylian Mbappe walks past him after being sent off. Charles Platiau / Reuters
    PSG manager Thomas Tuchel looks on as Kylian Mbappe walks past him after being sent off. Charles Platiau / Reuters
  • PSG keeper Alphonse Areola fails to catch a ball kicked by Rennes forward Mbaye Niang during the penalty shootout. Martin Bureau / AFP
    PSG keeper Alphonse Areola fails to catch a ball kicked by Rennes forward Mbaye Niang during the penalty shootout. Martin Bureau / AFP
  • PSG players react after losing the final. Damien Meyer / AFP
    PSG players react after losing the final. Damien Meyer / AFP
  • Rennes celebrate after PSG's Christopher Nkunku failed to score during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    Rennes celebrate after PSG's Christopher Nkunku failed to score during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Rennes players react during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    Rennes players react during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Rennes midfielder Adrien Hunou celebrates with supporters after winning the French Cup on Saturday night. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    Rennes midfielder Adrien Hunou celebrates with supporters after winning the French Cup on Saturday night. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Rennes owner Francois Pinault, right celebrates with manager Julien Stephan after Rennes won the French Cup. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
    Rennes owner Francois Pinault, right celebrates with manager Julien Stephan after Rennes won the French Cup. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
  • Rennes defenders Ramy Bensebaini and Mehdi Zeffane, and forward Hatem Ben Arfa celebrate with the trophy. Damien Meyer / AFP
    Rennes defenders Ramy Bensebaini and Mehdi Zeffane, and forward Hatem Ben Arfa celebrate with the trophy. Damien Meyer / AFP

Neymar lashes out at fan and Kylian Mbappe sent off as PSG beaten in French Cup final


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Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both endured frustrating nights as Paris Saint-Germain were stunned by Rennes in Saturday's French Cup final, losing 6-5 on penalties after a dramatic game finished 2-2 at the end of extra time.

PSG substitute Christopher Nkunku blazed his sudden-death spot-kick over the bar in the shootout, sparking scenes of joy among the Rennes fans at the Stade de France as they won a first trophy in almost half a century.

"It has been talked about enough at the club in the last few weeks for us to realise that we have achieved something historic," Rennes manager Julien Stephan said.

It was a remarkable comeback from the Brittany side, who had seen Dani Alves and Neymar give Ligue 1 champions PSG a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.

Thomas Tuchel's side appeared poised to wrap up a domestic double, but Presnel Kimpembe's own goal just before the break gave Rennes hope and Edson Mexer headed them level in the 66th minute to take a gripping final - attended by President Emmanuel Macron - to extra time.

Penalties were already looming when Mbappe, who endured a frustrating evening, was shown a straight red card by referee Ruddy Buquet for a dreadful challenge on Damien da Silva. The France star caught the Rennes defender on the knee with his studs, and can expect a lengthy ban.

"He had a slight muscle injury yesterday, he stopped training early and went to hospital for tests. Maybe that was in his head," Tuchel said.

"You got the feeling he was lacking confidence and didn't feel free. The red card at the end, it's not him."

Without him, PSG fell short of winning the cup for the fifth year running, and of securing the double in Tuchel's first season in charge, which will also be remembered for the Qatar-owned club's Uefa Champions League exit to Manchester United in the last 16.

"I am sad," said Neymar. "We weren't quite up to it, but there is no point crying about it now. There is nothing we can do."

After the game, Neymar got into an altercation with what appeared to be a spectator, who as the video shows said something that allegedly bothered them, and Neymar looked to grab his phone before the man took evasive action. It appears thereafter Neymar struck him on the chin with a quick jab.

Whether this will lead to punishment of some kind for Neymar is yet to be seen. The Brazilian has already been banned from the Uefa Champions League for three matches after he posted on Instagram criticisism of match officials in charge of the French club's defeat to Manchester United in March.

The Brazil international will miss the first three games of next season's Champions League group stage.

PSG's Neymar, left, seen arguing with Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek, right, made his first start in three months after injury. Thibault Camus / AP Photo
PSG's Neymar, left, seen arguing with Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek, right, made his first start in three months after injury. Thibault Camus / AP Photo

Neymar back among goals

Anyhow PSG had been looking to win the cup for the fifth year running, but instead it is traditional underachievers Rennes - owned by luxury goods mogul Francois Pinault, one of France's richest men - who celebrate a famous victory.

It is their first silverware since the 1971 French Cup and also means a return to the Europa League next season.

Few of their fans would have imagined that possible after the way they started, with PSG looking more like their former selves as Neymar made his first start in three months after injury.

Rennes had been knocked out of this competition following heavy defeats by PSG in each of the last two seasons, and another hiding looked on the cards as they went 2-0 down early on.

The opener came in the 13th minute when a corner fell to Alves just outside the area and he met the ball with a volley from 20 yards that flew low into the corner.

The second goal came midway through the first half, as a stray Hatem Ben Arfa pass was intercepted by Alves before Angel di Maria sent Neymar through to score with a delightful chip over Tomas Koubek, who had come off his line.

It was a 21st goal of the season for the world's most expensive player.

Rennes celebrate after PSG's Christopher Nkunku failed to score during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP
Rennes celebrate after PSG's Christopher Nkunku failed to score during the penalty shootout. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP

Rennes battle back

Rennes roused themselves to finish the half strongly, however, and Mbaye Niang struck a post before they reduced the arrears five minutes from the interval. Hamari Traore crossed from the right and Kimpembe sliced the ball into his own net.

They continued to cause problems to PSG in the second half, and it was no surprise when Rennes equalised in the 66th minute as Clement Grenier's corner was headed home by Mexer, the Mozambican defender.

Into extra time they went, and Neymar set up Mbappe for a shot against the post, but proof that Rennes had done more than just ruffle PSG's feathers came when France's golden boy was sent off. It was not his or PSG's night, for once.