Endrick scores as Lyon beat Rennes 4-2 to finish third and stay on course for the Champions League

Brazilian forward Endrick scored a fine goal as Lyon defeated Rennes 4-2 in Ligue 1 on Sunday to move up to third place in the race for a spot in the Champions League.

The top three automatically earn a spot next season, and the team that finishes fourth will advance to qualifying. Lyon and Rennes both had the chance to finish third after Lille drew 1-1 with Le Havre earlier on Sunday.

Lyon is two points ahead of fourth-place Lille and four points ahead of fifth-place Rennes with two games to go.

Jordan striker Mousa Al-Tamari gave Rennes a six-minute lead with a brilliant corner volley from Esteban Lepaul’s cross.

Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk equalized with a downward header from Corentin Tolisso’s cross in the 37th, and Tolisso scored with a penalty five minutes later after lively winger Afonso Moreira had made a mistake.

Rennes weren’t done yet and Lepaul scored his league-leading 19th goal of the campaign with a close-range finish from Al-Tamari’s left wing. But just after celebrating with a golf-style swing and looking into the distance, he couldn’t read the play properly and carelessly gave the ball away at center field.

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Lyon quickly broke forward and Abner Vinícius fed Moreira near the penalty area for a good finish in the 52nd. Tolisso then set up 19-year-old Endrick for a powerful shot into the roof of the net in the 75th after quickly switching feet.

It was a good weekend for Lyon’s men’s and women’s teams, with OL Lyonnes on course for a record-breaking ninth Women’s Champions League trophy after beating defending champions Arsenal on Saturday to reach the final. Lyon President Michele Kang celebrated in the crowd on Sunday.

Earlier, Lille midfielder Hakon Haraldsson cleared a neat pass from Matias Fernandez-Pardo in the 28th minute, but Le Havre, in 14th place, equalized through striker Issa Soumaré.

Auxerre increased its chances of keeping up with a 3-1 home win over Angers, with striker Sékou Mara scoring twice.

Auxerre remains in 16th place – the relegation-promotion play-off spot, with the team finishing third in Ligue 2 – but moved within three points of Nice in 15th. Auxerre’s win also moved 17th-place Nantes closer to relegation. The low point Metz has already been relegated.

Paris FC defeated Brest 4-0 at home and continued their good form under coach Antoine Kombouaré, with 18-year-old midfielder Rudy Matondo scoring twice. Brazilian forward Emersonn grabbed a late winner for Toulouse in a 2-1 win in Strasbourg.

League leaders Paris Saint-Germain are still six points ahead of second-place Lens with three games to go after both drew on Saturday. Lens hosts PSG on May 13.

Published on May 4, 2026