Conference League: Enciso the hero as Racing thump Mainz to reach semis
In a feverish atmosphere at La Meinau, RC Strasbourg overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit with a 4-0 win to advance to the Conference League semifinals -- catch up on all the action from Alsace with our recap.
A brilliant first half...
With Emanuel Emegha only fit enough for the bench and Guela Doué absent, but Diego Moreira fit enough to start, Gary O'Neil had several changes from the eleven that had lost the first leg 2-0 away, and his refreshed side didn't take long to work at making up the deficit. With just six minutes gone, Abdoul Ouattara blazed over the bar, and Racing were hungry for more.
They thought they had earned a sending off for Mainz defender Dominik Kohr on 20', but the referee was unmoved by O'Neil's protestations. Having the decision fail to go their way would give the hosts plenty of impetus though, as Moreira had a brilliant scissor kick saved (25') before Sebastian Nanasi opened the scoring (26'). Ten minutes later, Ouattara would atone for his earlier miss with a fine piece of movement to head in the second (35') before volleying wide (39'). Julio Encsio would then have a chance stopped on the counter by some fine play from the Mainz 'keeper, but Racing had the bit between their teeth with the tie now level on aggregate.
Strasbourg’s star. 💎
Strasbourg’s hero. 🌟
JULIO ENCISO. 🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/ih8q6G7aSj— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 16, 2026
...and more of the same in the second!
The start of the second half was more even, and with another goal needed to advance, O'Neil rolled the dice by bringing on Emegha just before the hour. This change would result in the hosts' first big chance, which came on 64' as Valentín Barco was brought down, but Emegha saw his effort saved by the Mainz goalkeeper. Three minutes later, though, Racing would take the lead on aggregate, with Enciso pouncing on a loose ball to make it 3-0 on the night and 3-2 in the tie.
Five minutes later, Racing would even have a fourth on the evening, with Emegha making up for his penalty miss with a powerful finish at the back post. Despite some nervy moments in the final fifteen minutes, Racing would see the match out relatively comfortably, and will now face Rayo Vallecano in the semifinals in a fortnight, with a Coupe de France semifinal to come as well next midweek.
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