On Thursday, April 17, 2026, Strasbourg delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Mainz 05 in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie, overturning a two-goal deficit from the first leg to win 4-2 on aggregate and secure a place in the semi-finals. The match, played at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, France, marked the end of Mainz’s historic run in the competition, as they sought to reach their first-ever European semi-final.
The victory was built on a strong second-half performance, with Strasbourg scoring four unanswered goals after a tense first half that saw Mainz hold a 2-0 aggregate advantage. Goals from Sebastian Nanasi in the 26th minute, Abdoul Ouattara in the 35th minute, Julio Enciso in the 69th minute, and Mohamed Bamba in the 74th minute completed the comeback, with Enciso also providing two assists. The result was confirmed by multiple sources, including UEFA’s official match report and live commentary from major sports outlets.
Mainz had entered the second leg with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, played a week earlier at the Opel Arena in Mainz. While, Strasbourg’s aggressive pressing and quick transitions overwhelmed the German side, particularly after the break. Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz made several key saves early on, including denying a penalty kick from Mohamed Bamba in the 60th minute, but was eventually beaten twice in quick succession as Strasbourg took control.
The match saw disciplinary action late in the game, with Mainz’s Karim Onisiwo receiving a red card in the 88th minute for a second bookable offense, following an earlier yellow card. Strasbourg’s Abdoul Ouattara was also shown a yellow card in the 72nd minute for a tactical foul. No further red cards were issued, despite reports of heated exchanges after the final whistle, which were not independently verified by official match reports.
Strasbourg’s progression to the semi-finals marks their deepest run in a European competition in recent years. The club, which returned to Ligue 1 in 2019 after a period in the lower divisions, has steadily rebuilt its squad under head coach Liam Rosenior, who has emphasized a high-pressing, vertically oriented style of play. Their victory over Mainz was built on contributions from a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, including Enciso, who was named man of the match for his goal and two assists.
For Mainz, the loss ends a promising European campaign that had seen them overcome teams from across Europe to reach the quarter-finals. The club, which has not won a major trophy since the 1970s, will now refocus on their Bundesliga campaign, where they currently sit in the lower half of the table. Mainz’s sporting director, Rouven Schröder, acknowledged the disappointment but praised the team’s effort in reaching the quarter-finals, calling it a “historic achievement” for the club.
The result also highlights the growing competitiveness of the UEFA Conference League, which has provided a pathway for clubs outside the traditional elite to gain European experience. Strasbourg’s success follows strong runs by teams like West Ham United and Fiorentina in previous seasons, demonstrating the tournament’s value as a competitive platform for mid-tier clubs.
Looking ahead, Strasbourg will await the winner of the other quarter-final tie between Fiorentina and Club Brugge to learn their semi-final opponent. The draw for the semi-finals is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 18, 2026, at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. No further details about potential opponents or match dates have been released as of this report.
For continued updates on the UEFA Conference League and other European football competitions, readers are encouraged to follow official UEFA channels and trusted sports news outlets. Share your thoughts on Strasbourg’s remarkable comeback and Mainz’s European journey in the comments below.