Balogun equalizes for Reims in a 1-1 draw with Strasbourg
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Folarin Balogun turns into a smart investment for Reims, who earned their first French league point after the Arsenal loanee netted their third goal in as many games as they equalized in the draw 1-1 with Strasbourg on Sunday.
Balogun controlled a pass from Alexis Flips to score with a low kick in the 81st minute, which goal-line tech confirmed had crossed the line.
Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku opened the scoring from close range on the stroke of half-time after Adrien Thomasson fired in from a corner.
Reims had two good chances to take the lead but were let down by a poor finish. Balogun missed the target in the 14th while Japanese winger Junya Ito was denied by goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 45th. Sels delayed Reims’ comeback by saving Ito’s header in the 56th minute.
Balogun’s loan deal is a win-win situation for Reims and Arsenal. For Reims, he provides the short-lived replacement for striker Hugo Ekitike, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Arsenal are hoping to speed up the player’s development by giving him more playing time. Balogun was behind Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order at the north London club.
Strasbourg and Reims are still without a win with two points and one point respectively.
Rennes, Brest and Auxerre won their first league wins of the season.
Rennes beat Ajaccio 2-1 with a looping header from centre-back Arthur Theate in the far corner in the 62nd minute. Martin Terrier opened his account by putting the hosts ahead with a low drive from the edge of the box in the 18th. Terrier was the league’s third most prolific goalscorer last season behind Kylian Mbappe and Wissam Ben Yedder.
Ajaccio thought they had equalized with a penalty from Thomas Mangani in added time in the first half, but the midfielder had to take back his penalty as he kicked in before the referee whistled. Rennes goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar saved Mangani’s second attempt. Ajaccio striker Mounaim El Idrissy equalized in the 57th minute on a cross from Mangani.
Rennes substitute Lesley Ugochukwu was shown a red card in added time for an ankle stamp from Vincent Marchetti.
Brest striker Jérémy Le Douaron scored twice in a 3-1 win at Angers. The hosts lost Halid Sabanovic in the 34th as the Angers right-back was sent off for a poor tackle on Pierre Lees-Melou.
Promoted Auxerre beat Montpellier 2-1 in a moody game. Mathias Autret gave the coup de grace with a free kick in the 75th. Both teams finished with nine players. Montpellier midfielders Khalil Fayad in the 46th minute and Teji Savanier in stoppage time were sent off for bad challenges. Auxerre substitute M’Baye Niang was shown a red card in the 51st minute for elbowing Mamadou Sakho in the face before team-mate Nuno Da Costa picked up a second yellow card in the 88th minute.
Nice remained winless after losing 1-0 at Clermont. Tunisian international Saif-Eddine Khaoui scored with the first shot in the sixth minute. Nice were down to nine men at the end of the match. Mario Lemina was sent off for a tackle from behind on Komnen Andric in the 80th minute. Jean-Clair Todibo then received a second yellow card in the 82nd minute for kicking the ball after a foul was called.
Lorient substitute Ibrahima Kone converted a late penalty to save a point in a 2-2 draw with the promoted Toulouse.
The third round ends later on Sunday with Lille against Paris Saint-Germain.
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