Marseille net quick strikes to defeat Rennes in Coupe de France

Marseille netted goals right at the beginning of both halves to secure their spot in the Coupe de France quarter finals via a gritty and occasionally heated 3-0 win against away side Rennes on Tuesday.

After an unexpected exit from the Champions League last week and squandering a two goal advantage against Paris FC in Ligue 1 over the weekend, Marseille eased their anxieties in the second minute on Tuesday.

Rennes midfielder Quentin Merlin hesitated deep inside his own penalty area, allowing Timothy Weah to pounce and tee up Amine Gouiri. The forward prodded the ball in from near range. The play stayed rough throughout a mistake riddled and interruption heavy opening period.

Marseille needed only 75 seconds to open the scoring at the outset and merely 31 seconds more to add a second following the interval.

Launching from central areas, Gouiri spotted Mason Greenwood surging into an open path on the right inside channel. The English forward drove into the penalty area and fired low across the keeper into the opposite corner.

Fresh Liverpool signing Jeremy Jacquet, who had strayed forward, looked puzzled while signalling to his Rennes teammates in defence.

Rennes failed to adjust. In the 82nd minute during the untidy encounter, Greenwood exploited a vast gap in that same zone once more. On this occasion, he laid off to replacement Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang for the finish.

Marseille progress to the final eight in pursuit of their first Coupe de France triumph since 1989.

Paris FC, who ousted defending champions and local foes Paris Saint-Germain, head to Lorient on Wednesday, while in form Lens take on Troyes.