Valenciennes have produced a 2-1 win from behind against Rennes in Ligue 1 to keep their hopes of survival alive.
The first half was quite edgy but there were half-chances at either end. Foued Kadir shot wide for the visitors, while Mathieu Dossevi had an effort blocked when well placed in the box.
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A shot from distance by Romain Alessandrini was parried by the home goalkeeper Magno Macedo Novaes, and the rebound was turned over the bar by Ola Toivonen.
After an open first 45 minutes, the away side scored early in the second half. Just three minutes into the period Toivonen finished neatly from just inside the box for 1-0.
The goal boosted the visitors and they came forward looking for a second, but soon after Anders Agnes Konradsen shot wide, the scores were level again as Dossevi scrambled in from a Majeed Waris cross.
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The crucial moment came with 17 minutes to play when Rudy Mater brought down Tongo Doumbia and was sent off. Although Waris's initial effort was saved, he put the rebound into the net for a 2-1 win.
Matt Domm
