RC Strasbourg saw their impressive eight-game winning run in the UEFA Europa Conference League come to a crashing halt in Germany, as 1. FSV Mainz 05 delivered a ruthless display to seize control of this quarter-final tie.

The hosts made a flying start, leaving the French side shell-shocked with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes. First, Kaishu Sano capitalised on a costly turnover from Habib Diarra to break the deadlock. Moments later, Stefan Posch doubled the advantage, rising to meet a corner and finishing clinically to put Mainz firmly in the driving seat.

Strasbourg looked disjointed and overwhelmed, struggling to cope with the intensity of the German side. Were it not for an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Matz Sels, the scoreline could have been far more damaging before the interval.

After the break, Gary O’Neil attempted to inject life into his side with the introductions of Emanuel Emegha and Diego Moreira. The changes brought brief momentum, and Valentín Barco came agonisingly close to pulling one back — his thunderous strike crashing against the crossbar.

However, Mainz, boasting one of the most resilient defences in the competition, remained composed and in control. They saw out the match with authority, extending their unbeaten run to nine games. Once again, the Strasbourg goalkeeper was called into action on multiple occasions, keeping faint hopes of a comeback alive ahead of the second leg.

2025-26, Conference League

Mainz 05 - Strasbourg 2:0 (2:0)
Goals: Sano, 11 (1:0); Posch, 19 (2:0)

Mainz 05: Batz; Mwene (Veratschnig, 69); Posch; da Costa; Widmer (Potulski, 80); Kawasaki (Vick W., 70); Sano; Kohr; Nebel P. (Maloney, 89); Tietz P.; Weiper (Sieb A., 69)
Substitution: Veratschnig (from 69); Sieb A. (from 69); Vick W. (from 70); Potulski (from 80); Maloney (from 89)
Bench: Riess L.; Gleiber; Moreno F.
Yellow Cards: Posch 90; Sieb A. 90

Strasbourg: Penders; Omobamidele; Chilwell; Doukouré Is.; Doué G.; Barco; Oyedele M. (Moreira D., 65); El Mourabet; Enciso; Godo M. (Nanasi, 85); Yassine (Emegha, 65)
Substitution: Moreira D. (from 65); Emegha (from 65); Nanasi (from 85)
Bench: Johnsson; Hogsberg; Luis R.; Amougou; Amo-Ameyaw
Yellow Cards: Doué G. 31; Moreira D. 90