RC Strasbourg have made history, reaching a European semi-final for the first time after a sensational comeback against 1. FSV Mainz 05. Trailing 0–2 from the first leg in Germany, Strasbourg produced a remarkable response at the Stade de la Meinau, storming to a 4–0 victory and sealing a 4–2 aggregate win in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

From the opening whistle, the side led by Gary O’Neil played with urgency and belief, overwhelming their opponents with relentless attacking pressure. The breakthrough came before half-time, as Sebastian Nanasi and Abdul Ouattara struck to level the tie on aggregate. The atmosphere inside the stadium reached fever pitch when Ouattara rose highest to punish a static Mainz defence with a powerful header.

The second half turned into a showcase of attacking football. Julio Enciso added a third, calmly finishing into an empty net after a low cross from Godo, before turning provider himself. The Paraguayan set up substitute captain Emanuel Emegha, who capped off the night with a clinical header to put the result beyond doubt.

Even a missed penalty failed to disrupt Strasbourg’s rhythm, as they maintained complete control and left Mainz with no route back into the contest.

2025-26, Conference League

Strasbourg - Mainz 05 4:0 (2:0)
Goals: Nanasi, 26 (1:0); Ouattara G., 35 (2:0); Enciso, 69 (3:0); Emegha, 74 (4:0)

Strasbourg: Penders; Omobamidele; Chilwell (Hogsberg, 78); Doukouré Is.; Barco; El Mourabet; Moreira D.; Enciso (Oyedele M., 88); Godo M.; Nanasi (Emegha, 58); Ouattara G. (Yassine, 79)
Substitution: Emegha (from 58); Hogsberg (from 78); Yassine (from 79); Oyedele M. (from 88)
Bench: Johnsson; Luis R.; Amougou; Amo-Ameyaw; Fofana D.D.
Yellow Cards: Barco 36; Nanasi 45; El Mourabet 49; Moreira D. 90

Mainz 05: Batz; Mwene (Veratschnig, 82); Posch; da Costa; Widmer (Caci, 72); Kawasaki (Sieb A., 72); Sano; Kohr (Vick W., 82); Nebel P.; Tietz P.; Weiper (Amiri N., 46)
Substitution: Amiri N. (from 46); Caci (from 72); Sieb A. (from 72); Veratschnig (from 82); Vick W. (from 82)
Bench: Riess L.; Zentner; Maloney; Bell S.; Hanche-Olsen; Potulski; Gleiber
Yellow Cards: Kohr 19; Zentner 60; Veratschnig 90; Sieb A. 90