RENNES SURPRISES PSG FOR THEIR NINTH CONSECUTIVE HOME WIN

Kylian Mbappe returned from a post-World Cup break, but Paris Saint-Germain lost 1-0 away to Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, leaving the club only three points clear at the top of the table halfway through the season.

Rennes captain Hamari Traore scored the game’s only goal in the 65th minute in the rain in Brittany, condemning PSG to its second consecutive away league loss after falling 3-1 to second-placed Lens on New Year’s Day.

Prior to that, it had gone unbeaten in all 23 matches this season, and this latest defeat gives its rivals hope in the title race.

This was the first appearance by Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar on the same pitch since PSG’s superstar attacking trio returned from the World Cup.

Messi was given an extended break after leading Argentina to victory in Doha, and he scored in a 2-0 win over Angers in midweek.

Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final before losing on penalties to Argentina, had played in his club’s first two games following the tournament before taking a holiday in New York with teammate Achraf Hakimi.

He was expected to start on Sunday, but instead sat on the bench while Hugo Ekitike, 20, played in front of Messi and Neymar.

PSG was blunt up front without its leading scorer, and Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda did not have a notable save to make until three minutes into the second half, when he kept out a Danilo Pereira header.

Mbappe came on in the 56th minute to applause from the home fans, who were eager to show their appreciation for the striker’s World Cup performances.

However, Rennes took the lead soon after through right-back Traore, and Mbappe squandered a chance to equalize when he burst through on goal but blazed over with only the goalkeeper to beat.

With Neymar once again ineffective and Messi failing to make the expected impact, Juan Bernat came closest to equalizing for PSG with a shot that Mandanda tipped over.

With a Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich just a month away, PSG coach Christophe Galtier will be hoping his attacking trio can quickly rediscover their early-season form.

Rennes, who recently lost top scorer Martin Terrier for the season due to a serious knee injury, have now won nine consecutive home league games.

It currently sits fifth in the table, trailing Monaco in fourth only on goals scored after the principality side defeated Ajaccio 7-1 earlier in the day.