Strasbourg have booked their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals after overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Mainz 4-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, advancing 4-2 on aggregate. The French side, who trailed 0-2 from the first leg, delivered a commanding performance at the Stade de la Meinau to join Rayo Vallecano, Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk in the last four of Europe’s third-tier club competition.
The victory was built on a strong first-half showing, with Strasbourg already leading 2-0 by the break to erase the deficit from the initial encounter. Sebastian Nanasi opened the scoring in the 26th minute, setting the tone for a dominant display. Nine minutes later, Martial Godo equalised on aggregate by cancelling out the away goals Mainz had carried from the first leg, shifting the momentum decisively in Strasbourg’s favour.
After the interval, Strasbourg continued to press and extended their lead through Julio Encisco, who made it 3-0 shortly after the restart. The result was sealed by Emmanuel Emegha, who completed the 4-0 victory in the 66th minute. Although Emegha had a penalty kick saved earlier in the match, his late goal ensured there would be no late drama as Strasbourg secured a comprehensive win to progress to the semi-finals.
The triumph marks a significant achievement for the Ligue 1 club, who have now reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in their history. Their journey to the last four has been defined by resilience, having already overcome a 0-2 first-leg deficit against Mainz in the quarter-finals. This follows a pattern seen across the remaining semi-finalists, with Rayo Vallecano also progressing despite losing the first leg 1-3 to AEK Athens after winning 3-0 at home, while Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk advanced on the strength of their first-leg advantages.
Strasbourg’s semi-final clash will see them face Rayo Vallecano, with the first leg scheduled for April 30, 2026, and the return leg set for May 7, 2026. The winner of that tie will meet either Crystal Palace or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final, which is slated for May 27, 2026 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
The club’s supporters celebrated the achievement as a historic moment for the Alsace-based team, with scenes of joy witnessed both inside and outside the stadium following the final whistle. The run has captured attention across Europe, particularly given Strasbourg’s status as a club not traditionally associated with deep runs in continental competitions.
As the tournament enters its penultimate stage, all four remaining teams will be aiming to lift the trophy, with Strasbourg now among the contenders seeking to make history. Their semi-final draw against Rayo Vallecano sets up an intriguing matchup between two sides that have shown the ability to overcome adversity in the knockout stages.
For the latest updates on the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, including match schedules, team news and official announcements, fans are directed to the UEFA website and the club’s official channels.
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