MATCH REPORT | Emegha double sends Strasbourg into Conference League group stage | OneFootball

RC Strasbourg Alsace secured their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage with a 3-1 victory at Bröndby IF on Thursday night. Emmanuel Emegha struck twice, Ismaël Doukouré scored a stunner, and Liam Rosenior’s side resisted Danish pressure to clinch continental qualification.After a goalless first leg at La Meinau, the tie quickly came to life in Denmark. Strasbourg struck first as François Lemaréchal slipped through Emmanuel Emegha, who punished Patrick Pentz’s poor positioning with a delicate lob (15’, 0-1). The Alsatians doubled their advantage before the break when Ismaël Doukouré unleashed a 30-metre effort that found the bottom corner (40′) and sent the 500-strong Alsatien away end into deliriumYet, the allure of danger was still there as the hosts responded immediately as veteran (and former Ligue 1) midfielder Daniel Wass pounced at the far post from a flicked-on throw-in (44′), restoring belief for the hosts going into half-time. For Liam Rosenior’s side, it cast doubt over what had been well-executed first half in Denmark. The Danes came out pushing hard for the second half, but Strasbourg remained disciplined and continued to threaten on the transition. It was there that Rosenior’s men would find a decisive thiurd goal on the 66th minute. Valentín Barco and Diego Moreira combined to release Emegha in a quick counter-attack against two Dane defenders. Emegha, as he did in the first half, would make no mistake and slotted underneath Pentz to give RCSA some breathing space in the last third of the game. Joaquín Panichelli skied a chance to further increase the lead going into the final 20 minutes – and he’ll soon come to regret it when Michael Gregoritsc smashed the ball into the roof of the net from an indirect free-kick given against Valentin Barco in the box (85′). Panichelli had a glorious chance in injury time to finish off the affair once more, but happily the job was already done for RCSA as referee Nenad Minakovic blew the final whistle. The win ensures Strasbourg’s first group stage appearance in a UEFA competition since 2019, and a fresh European adventure awaits at La Meinau this autumn.GFFN | George Boxall