Bangladesh, Jan. 11 -- Substitute Kevin Strootman steered in a late winner as Marseille strengthened its grip on second place in the French league by beating third-placed Rennes 1-0 on Friday.

After Dimitri Payet's 84th-minute free kick was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Strootman showed good balance to clip the loose ball high into the net from a tight angle just two minutes after coming off the bench.

Marseille is nine league games unbeaten and four points behind league leader Paris Saint-Germain, which has played two games less, and eight clear of Rennes, which plays its game in hand at 19th-place Nimes on Wednesday.

In a tight and physical contest, Marseille center half Alvaro Gonzalez hit the post from 15 meters out following ...