Conference League: Racing eliminated after defeat at home
Following a 1-0 home defeat to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, RC Strasbourg were eliminated from the Conference League on Thursday evening, 2-0 on aggregate.
Injuries leave Racing shorthanded
There was a special atmosphere in the stadium as the hosts were playing in their first-ever European semifinal, but things would hardly be easy as they looked to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit against a canny Rayo Vallecano side. In addition to long-term absentee Joaquín Panichelli, Gary O'Neil had to make do without Emanuel Emegha, while Valentín Barco and Guéla Doué were back in the side, but showing no small amount of rust. Following heavy rotation in the team's Ligue 1 McDonald's loss to Toulouse at the weekend, O'Neil had his side as fresh as possible, but things weren't ready to go their way.
The visitors would have the first chance of the match through Alemão, the goalscorer in the first leg, but his effort was saved by Mike Penders (8'). Strasbourg were struggling to get a toehold in the match, with Rayo dominating the ball, and chances on the counter were rare as well, even as Diego Moreira worked hard on the flank but could only win a corner (19').
Penders would then be called into action again to keep out Espino from a tight angle (22') and the young Belgian had to be sharp as well to deny Unai Lopez from range, punching the ball clear (29'). Racing's resistance would finally broken just before the half by Alemão at a corner (42'). The Alsatians were quick to respond with Doué on the counter but despite having a one-on-one with the keeper, he failed to make it tell, and the Spanish side held the lead on the the night at the break, 1-0.
Despite tonight's defeat, we are grateful for our fans on what was a truly special night in the club's history as we played a first-ever European semifinal. We have three matches left to finish the season in the best possible fashion -- Allez Racing!#UECL pic.twitter.com/TZuHowHNlS
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) May 7, 2026
A missed penalty makes the difference
O'Neil would make a change at the break, bringing on Sebastian Nanasi for Ben Chilwell, but the first big chance would go to the visitors, as Isi Palazón's effort was saved by Penders, who was single-handedly keeping his side in the game. Racing looked more lively, but their first chance wouldn't come until just before the hour as Samir El Mourabet's effort was over the bar.
Midway through the half, Penders came up big again, first cutting out a cross and then making a big save from Sergio Camello, who had come on off the bench for Rayo. Racing then had a good chance on a ball over the top but Rayo 'keeper Augusto Batalla did well to come off his line and take the ball away from Barco. In the second minute of added time, the hosts would win a penalty for handball, but Julio Enciso's effort was saved to keep the visitors ahead on the night, and to preserve their progress. Thus, despite a valiant effort, Racing were eliminated, the Alsatians denied the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain in a European final.
