Goalkeeping howler gifts 10-man Monaco draw vs Rennes

PARIS: A horrible mistake by teenage substitute goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar gited an equaliser to Breel Embolo as Monaco bounced back from their midweek Champions League elimination to draw 1-1 with Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Alemdar hesitated inside his own six-yard box as he controlled a backpass from Joe Rodon, allowing the lively Swiss striker Embolo to steal in and score in the 73rd minute.

Embolo’s goal cancelled out Gaetan Laborde’s opener in the 59th minute for Rennes, as Monaco escaped with a draw despite playing the majority of the game at the Stade Louis II down to 10 men.

The principality side were looking to get back on track ater their extra-time elimination at the hands of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League third qualifying round, a setback which means they will instead go into this season’s Europa League group stage. Yet they were dealt a blow inside quarter of an hour when midfielder Youssouf Fofana was shown a straight red card for catching Rennes forward Martin Terrier on the shin with his studs right in front of the referee. Despite that the home side were given the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot just ater the half-hour mark when veteran Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda rushed off his line to try to punch the ball away, only to catch Embolo on the head instead.

Mandanda redeemed himself by saving Axel Disasi’s spot-kick, but was then taken off at half-time with Turkish youngster Alemdar taking his place.

Earlier, Lille moved to the top of the fledgling Ligue 1 table ater Ismaily’s second half equaliser secured a draw from a tough contest at Nantes on Friday. Lille went into the game on the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Auxerre in last week’s opening round but they were on the back foot when Moses Simon struck for the home side in the 27th minute, tucking in from close range.

French Cup winners Nantes were held to an unispiring goalless draw at Angers on the opening weekend but appeared to be closing in on a first win of the season as they held out against some sustained Lille atacks.