Champions League - Group E
RennesRennes1ChelseaChelsea2

Rennes 1-2 Chelsea: Blues seal early qualification to Champions League last 16

By Phil DawkesBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments347

Edouard Mendy rises to palm away the ball
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had a good game for Chelsea against his former club

Chelsea sealed their progress to the Champions League knockout stage with two games to spare as Olivier Giroud's late header secured victory at Rennes.

The French striker has played just 127 minutes for the Blues so far this season, but made the most of his time on the pitch here with an injury-time finish after Timo Werner's effort had been blocked.

Just six minutes earlier, Rennes looked to have denied Chelsea when Serhou Guirassy headed home from a corner to cancel out Callum Hudson-Odoi's opener.

Frank Lampard's side dominated the first half and could easily have led by more than just Hudson-Odoi's calm finish after he had been sent clear by a pinpoint pass from Mason Mount.

They invited the home side on in the second half and had to rely on a defence that included the returning Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who made a couple of good saves against his former club.

A late winner for Sevilla means both they and the Blues have 10 points in Group E, nine more than both Rennes and Krasnodar.

Game management

Lampard spoke before Tuesday's match of Chelsea's need to get their Champions League business done early, and will be delighted with the outcome.

Almost as important as sealing qualification is the fact Chelsea can now rest players for the final two group games, which come during a relentless December packed with tough fixtures.

Their remaining games - against Sevilla and Krasnodar - fall between league fixtures against Tottenham, Leeds and Everton as part of eight games in a month.

They will want to take the clash in Spain more seriously, with Julen Lopetegui's side having matched the Blues in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge and their only rivals for top spot, which in theory brings an easier tie in the last 16.

They will be full of confidence, though, having won six matches on the spin since following up that Sevilla stalemate with another at Manchester United in late October.

Tuesday's victory could have been a bit less stressful for them had they finished the two other clear-cut chances that fell their way during their early dominance.

However, either side of Hudson-Odoi's goal, Werner somehow found a way to scoop a shot from six yards over the bar and Mount saw a poked effort clawed wide by home keeper Alfred Gomis.

Rennes deserved the leveller when it came towards the end of a second-half display that was full of endeavour but so often short of ruthlessness in front of goal. It is clear to see why they had gone over five hours without a goal prior to Guirassy's header.

But Chelsea recovered to take the points thanks to the ever-reliable Giroud, who was sent on by Lampard in the 69th minute and rewarded his boss in the 91st with his 30th goal for the club.

'A tough, hard-fought win'

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, talking to BT Sport: "I'm very happy to qualify with two games to spare. It was a really tough match, they're a very good team. Their recent form doesn't reflect how good they are, it was a tough, hard-fought win.

On balancing the team with Spurs at the weekend: "We have to prioritise the game in front of us but we're aware of where we are in the league and that Sunday is a big game.

"It always will be because of the rivalry and they are a great team and now it's just about preparing well. They'll have a day off tomorrow and then come Thursday morning we'll start thinking about Spurs properly."

Chelsea make it 16 out of 17

  • Rennes have won just one of their last 11 games in European competition (D2 L8).
  • Chelsea have made the knockout stages in 16 of their 17 Champions League seasons (only failing in 2012/13).
  • Rennes have managed just one clean sheet in their last 14 games in European competition (2-0 v Lazio in December 2019 in the Europa League).
  • Chelsea have won three consecutive Champions League matches for the first time since December 2015.
  • Chelsea are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions, their longest run without defeat since November 2018 (18).
  • Since his first European appearance for Chelsea in October 2018, Callum Hudson-Odoi has netted six goals in European competition, a haul bettered only by Olivier Giroud for the Blues in that time (12).
  • Since the start of last season, Mason Mount has registered eight assists for Chelsea in all competition, a joint-high among players still with the club (also 8 for Azpilicueta and Abraham).
  • Olivier Giroud is just the fourth player to score for both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League (also Anelka, Fabregas and Gallas).

Player of the match

GiroudOlivier Giroud

with an average of 8.43

Rennes

  1. Squad number10Player nameCamavinga
    Average rating

    6.52

  2. Squad number18Player nameDoku
    Average rating

    6.30

  3. Squad number14Player nameBourigeaud
    Average rating

    6.27

  4. Squad number9Player nameGuirassy
    Average rating

    6.27

  5. Squad number11Player nameNiang
    Average rating

    6.12

  6. Squad number15Player nameNzonzi
    Average rating

    6.07

  7. Squad number16Player nameGomis
    Average rating

    6.06

  8. Squad number8Player nameGrenier
    Average rating

    6.00

  9. Squad number27Player nameTraoré
    Average rating

    5.99

  10. Squad number17Player nameFaitout Maouassa
    Average rating

    5.91

  11. Squad number31Player nameTruffert
    Average rating

    5.90

  12. Squad number22Player nameDel Castillo
    Average rating

    5.90

  13. Squad number3Player nameDa Silva
    Average rating

    5.88

  14. Squad number19Player nameGboho
    Average rating

    5.84

  15. Squad number12Player nameLea Siliki
    Average rating

    5.74

  16. Squad number4Player nameNyamsi
    Average rating

    5.61

Chelsea

  1. Squad number18Player nameGiroud
    Average rating

    8.43

  2. Squad number16Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    7.76

  3. Squad number22Player nameZiyech
    Average rating

    7.54

  4. Squad number7Player nameKanté
    Average rating

    7.48

  5. Squad number20Player nameHudson-Odoi
    Average rating

    7.48

  6. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    7.34

  7. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    7.23

  8. Squad number15Player nameZouma
    Average rating

    6.80

  9. Squad number9Player nameAbraham
    Average rating

    6.72

  10. Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta
    Average rating

    6.68

  11. Squad number29Player nameHavertz
    Average rating

    6.67

  12. Squad number24Player nameJames
    Average rating

    6.63

  13. Squad number21Player nameChilwell
    Average rating

    6.56

  14. Squad number17Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    6.47

  15. Squad number11Player nameWerner
    Average rating

    6.31

  16. Squad number5Player nameJorginho
    Average rating

    6.09

Line-ups

Rennes

Formation 4-3-3

  • 16Gomis
  • 27Traoré
  • 3Da Silva
  • 4Nyamsi
  • 31TruffertSubstituted forMaouassaat 86'minutes
  • 10CamavingaSubstituted forGrenierat 78'minutesBooked at 87mins
  • 15Nzonzi
  • 14BourigeaudBooked at 90mins
  • 18DokuSubstituted forGbohoat 86'minutes
  • 9GuirassySubstituted forNiangat 86'minutes
  • 12Lea SilikiSubstituted forDel Castilloat 63'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Salin
  • 8Grenier
  • 11Niang
  • 17Maouassa
  • 19Gboho
  • 20Tait
  • 22Del Castillo
  • 23Hunou
  • 32Assignon
  • 34Soppy
  • 35Rutter
  • 38Omari

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

  • 16Mendy
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 15Zouma
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 21Chilwell
  • 17KovacicSubstituted forHavertzat 76'minutes
  • 5Jorginho
  • 19MountSubstituted forKantéat 68'minutes
  • 20Hudson-OdoiSubstituted forZiyechat 75'minutes
  • 9AbrahamSubstituted forGiroudat 69'minutes
  • 11WernerSubstituted forJamesat 90+2'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 3Alonso
  • 4Christensen
  • 7Kanté
  • 13Caballero
  • 14Tomori
  • 18Giroud
  • 22Ziyech
  • 24James
  • 29Havertz
  • 33Emerson
Referee:
Björn Kuipers

Match Stats

Home TeamRennesAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home51%
Away49%
Shots
Home13
Away9
Shots on Target
Home5
Away5
Corners
Home11
Away3
Fouls
Home13
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Rennes 1, Chelsea 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Rennes 1, Chelsea 2.

  3. Booking

    Benjamin Bourigeaud (Rennes) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Benjamin Bourigeaud (Rennes).

  5. Post update

    Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Reece James replaces Timo Werner.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! Rennes 1, Chelsea 2. Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner.

  8. Post update

    Attempt saved. Timo Werner (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hakim Ziyech.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Hakim Ziyech.

  10. Booking

    Clément Grenier (Rennes) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Clément Grenier (Rennes).

  12. Post update

    N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Rennes. Yann Gboho replaces Jéremy Doku.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Rennes. Faitout Maouassa replaces Adrien Truffert.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Rennes. M'Baye Niang replaces Serhou Guirassy.

  16. Goal!

    Goal! Rennes 1, Chelsea 1. Serhou Guirassy (Rennes) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Benjamin Bourigeaud with a cross following a corner.

  17. Post update

    Corner, Rennes. Conceded by Thiago Silva.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Rennes. Clément Grenier replaces Eduardo Camavinga.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Benjamin Bourigeaud (Rennes).

  20. Post update

    Thiago Silva (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Comments

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347 comments

  • World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has never ever let any of his teams down - what a Man !

    • end racism ALL lives matter BBC replied:
      Have you chosen a ring yet?

  • That's why Giroud starts for France!

    I never understood why Arsenal let him go.

    He may not light up the league, but his consistency and work-rate are second-to-none.

    • Garyw replied:
      Giroud is class. Deserves more match time.

  • Job Done. Through to the last 16 of the CL. Giroud got us out of a bit of trouble there, but hey he is still world class. K.T.B.F.F.H. CHELSEA PRIDE OF LONDON.

    • Spurs replied:
      U must be joking, this is Chelsea ur talking about, bang average

  • congratulations Chelsea

    • BlackbirdLeysSpurs replied:
      Very small club, poor old Rudiger could of had a league winners medal this year but bottled it, Jimmy Greaves didn’t and won the double with the mighty Spurs

  • Not a great performance from Chelsea but good teams persevere and get the win. Giroud total professional, really hops he stays!

    • kevin phillips bong replied:
      Agree, Rylan lookalike has done the job for us here tonight. The Glory Days are back without a doubt. Spend big in the next window hopefully and who knows

  • Congratulations Chelsea.

    Group stage done n dusted.

    Giroud with one of his critical goals :-)

    • Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Giroud is too good a player not to be playing regularly.

  • BIGGEST CLUB IN LONDON. WHERE ARE SPURS? SOMEWHERE PLAYING AGAINST FARMERS ON THURSDAYS. LOOOOOL

    • andrew replied:
      I’m not a fan of any London club, but Chelsea really aren’t the biggest!

  • Chelsea did not play well, but let’s keep some perspective, they let in the only goal they have conceded in the Champions League so far, and have still qualified with two games to spare.

    • John Lilburne replied:
      As a Chelsea fan one thing that bothers me is that Werner missed another sitter, following the Newcastle game I hope this doesn't become a trend.
      Don't get me wrong, I still think he's a good player but we can't afford to pass up easy chances against the best CL and PL opposition

  • First English team to get out of the group stage.. common City, Liverpool & UTD.. it would be nice to have all 4 in the next round

    • Your View May Vary replied:
      Other than UTD, agree with you.

  • Yesssssss Olli!!! Go on my son! Class act, very happy for him and for Les Blues.

  • Giroud - please stay!!

    • LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Hopefully, he will. After all, he will get to play in Last 16. Possibly his last chance ever! I know I would. The US is a retirement policy and his stock just went up again.

  • Great news to qualify already . Good job Frank.
    The first goal was home grown and made at Chelsea !!!

  • Chelsea having a great season thus far. I am pleased for Lampard and as I predicted, he will be a great manager. Perhaps one day we will have a proper manager for the England team who got the job on merit.

    • RiotZappa replied:
      Well spoken words my friend!

      I was pretty shocked when I looked at Southgate's stats at Middlesbrough a few weeks ago.

  • Nice win but please dont make me so nervous . The second half was exhausting and i wasnt even playing.

  • It never fails to make me laugh when Spurs fans try to troll
    🤣🤣🤣

    • TheNightmanCometh replied:
      I've seen 1 comment from a fake Spurs fan, and 1 comment from a Chelsea fan obsessed with Spurs on a match report of a Chelsea game. All very weird.

  • Good to see Chelsea recover that win that they almost lost late in the game.

  • Well played Chelsea although that was close!

  • That was the poorest we have played for a while
    Dominant for the 1st 20 odd minutes where we could and should have been at least 2 nil up then sat back and but for a brilliant finish from Giroud we would have dropped 2 points
    We got away with it tonight but will need to play a lot better than that on Sunday

    • lornephi replied:
      I think as well the ref was a factor in Chelsea's play, as they say in ice hockey "he was letting them play". Tammy was definitely pulled down in the box and in a league game it would have been a PK. There was a lot of hacking going on that was let go as well.

  • Where were all these other so called big clubs when for years Chelsea were keeping four English clubs in the Champions League through their performances in Europe? The whole 'big club'narrative is a load of pointless nonsense.

    • TheNightmanCometh replied:
      Sorry, what?

  • To be fair, Chelsea should be qualifying from the group they're in.

    Rennes and FK Krasnodar have never qualified for the CL before, let alone gotten through to the knockouts.

    • Chief replied:
      Don't know if you've noticed but this isn't exactly a regular season mate. Plus Rennes are a good team