Angers relegated from Ligue 1 with Rennes defeat

Angers have officially been relegated from Ligue 1 thanks to a 4-2 defeat to Rennes at Roazhon Park on Sunday.

Les Scoistes' fate could have been sealed on Friday night during Strasbourg's clash with Lyon, but Les Gones' 2-1 win kept their fleeting hopes of survival alive that little bit longer.

However, sitting 18 points behind Strasbourg and Nantes in 20th place with six games left to play, Angers would have needed to embark on a miraculous winning streak and enjoy a huge swing in goal difference to somehow retain their top-flight status.

Alexandre Dujeux's took the first step towards doing so against Rennes as Nabil Bentaleb opened the scoring from the spot in the 19th minute, but Amine Gouiri equalised for the hosts just six minutes later.

An own goal from Cedric Hountondji preceded an Ibrahima Niane strike during an entertaining first half, but a brace from Jeremy Doku after the break consigned Angers to their fate.

Les Scoistes - who cannot finish any higher than 18th - have gleaned just 14 points from their 33 games this season as they prepare to wave goodbye to Ligue 1 after an eight-year stay, having been promoted from Ligue 2 in the 2014-15 campaign.