Rennes produced a dominant second-half display to overpower UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finalists RC Strasbourg Alsace 3-0, securing their third straight Ligue 1 win and climbing into the top four.
Strasbourg, unbeaten in their previous four home league matches, began brightly and almost struck first in the 15th minute.
Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana raced through on goal, rounded the goalkeeper, but lost his composure and saw his effort cleared off the line by Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal in a crucial early intervention.
That miss proved costly as Rennes gradually seized control of proceedings, creating the better chances as the first half progressed.
Musa Al-Taamari was a constant threat with his pace, although Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders did well to deny him after a dangerous burst forward.
However, Penders later slipped up, gifting Rennes the opener with a poor clearance straight to Sebastian Szymanski, who quickly teed up Esteban Lepaul to slot home his 17th Ligue 1 goal of the season.
The goalkeeper made amends with a brilliant double save to keep out Al-Taamari and Ludovic Blas, but Strasbourg still went into the break trailing.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed after the restart as Rennes struck twice in rapid succession. Lepaul was again involved, flicking a header towards goal which Breel Embolo ensured crossed the line with a close-range finish.
Barely two minutes later, Al-Taamari finally got his reward, finishing clinically after being played through by an incisive Blas pass to make it 3-0.
Strasbourg responded with a triple substitution just before the hour mark and nearly reduced the deficit when Martial Godo rattled the post with a mis-hit volley. But Rennes remained in control and comfortably saw out the match.
The result moves Rennes to within a point of third-placed Lille, strengthening their push for UEFA Champions League qualification.
For Strasbourg, the defeat leaves them stuck in mid-table, eight points off the top six, with their focus likely shifting further towards their Conference League campaign.
