PSG Suffers Shocking Loss to Rennes as Neymar Drama Continues

PARIS — Still missing Brazil forward Neymar, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain lost 2-1 at Rennes in the French league on Sunday.

PSG, which beat Nimes 3-0 last weekend in the first round, went ahead in the 36th minute when Edinson Cavani took advantage of a poor back pass by Rennes defender Damien Da Silva.

M'Baye Niang leveled with a stunning effort shortly before the interval and Romain Del Castillo was left unmarked to head in what turned out to be the winner early in the second half.

😇 Niang with the touch of an angel.

The @staderennais forward kills the ball dead in @PSG_English's box before blasting it low and restoring parity on the scoreboard. #SRFCPSG pic.twitter.com/59l1unxsVa
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 18, 2019

😲 @PSG_English are on the back foot!

A lofted ball from Eduardo Camavinga finds Romain Del Castillo who powers in the go-ahead goal for @staderennais. 2-1! #SRFCPSG pic.twitter.com/2Du390RbUk
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 18, 2019

Neymar, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona, also missed the Nimes game with PSG coach Thomas Tuchel saying the Brazilian was not fit to play.

Neymar became the most expensive player in the world when he moved from Barcelona to PSG for 222 million euros (about $250 million) in 2017. But his two seasons with the French champions have been disappointing compared to the club's huge expectations.

Rennes beat Montpellier 1-0 in its opening match of the season.