Strasbourg bounce back to win against Brest

RC Strasbourg Alsace won their final away game of the Ligue 1 McDonald's against Stade Brestois (1-2).

Pride on the line for both sides

This game was essentially a dead rubber. Brest have been on the wind down for several weeks. Never threatened by relegation to Ligue 2 BKT, Eric Roy seemed to throw in the towel for the European race when his side lost to Monaco back in March. Recently, their season has somewhat drifted. Les Ty-Zéfs, coming into this game, were winless in their last seven in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

Strasbourg's season ended much more recently. Gary O'Neil openly stated that he was prioritising cup competitions as a means of returning to Europe next season. However, a defeat to Nice in the Coupe de France semi-final and last week's loss to Rayo Vallecano in the semi-final of the UEFA Europa Conference League put paid to that plan. Qualifying for Europe via their standing in Ligue 1 McDonald's looked unlikely, but last weekend's 1-1 draw against Angers ensured that it was a mathematical impossibility. Pride, nonetheless, was still on the line for both sides at the Stade Francis Le Blé on Wednesday night.

Both sides arrived with the desire to put on a show, despite their predicament and the lack of stakes. Valentin Barco was at the heart of everything in the opening exchanges, firstly curling wide from the edge of the box (5') before netting the opener moments later, tapping into an empty net after Sébastien Nanasi had been played through before unselfishly cutting the ball across goal for the Argentina international (13').

Barco almost doubled his account but was just inches away from latching onto a ball through, and seconds later, Brest drew themselves level, Ludovic Ajorque heading home a floating Kenny Lala long ball (13').

19 G/A for Julio Enciso with Strasbourg. 🇵🇾💎 pic.twitter.com/BO2BdXjLUm
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 13, 2026

The levelling of the tie did not provide a let-up. Strasbourg continued to be positive and dominated possession and territory, and they were quickly rewarded a second time. Julio Enciso drifted across the edge of the box. He was pushed too wide to take a shot himself, but dinked the ball back into the box for Nanasi to flick a header past Grégoire Coudert (20').

The goals dried up but the action did not. Coudert sent an Enciso strike around his post (23'), whilst Mike Penders made an exceptional save from Ajorque, so close to doubling his account on the night (36').

In the second half, there was still an intense rhythm to the game, but the chances did dry up. The best chance fell to Barco, who missed a one-on-one with his dragged strike (79'). Brest had chances to level, too, notably through Junior Diaz (77') but Strasbourg held firm to take the win, extend Brest's winless run, and ensure that RCSA head into the final gameweek on a positive note.

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