PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 0-1 Rayo Vallecano: Le Racing exit Europa Conference League in semi-final disappointment | OneFootball

UEFA Europa Conference League, Semi-Final, 07/05/2026

Not with a bang but a whimper. RC Strasbourg Alsace limped out of the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final as Rayo Vallecano defeated them home and away by the same 1-0 scoreline.

The Match

If not for the fact that there were four stands present in the stadium rather than the three at the Estadio de Vallecas, you might have mistaken Rayo Vallecano for being at home this evening. The visitors were in the ascendancy from the start as they pressed and harried a young and nervous Le Racing that was committed to playing out from the back no matter the outcome.

All too often, Strasbourg’s build-up play would collapse with misread passes and overly orchestrated movements. Mike Penders was called into action frequently in the first 45 minutes. The young Belgian was largely fortunate that, for all of Rayo’s good play, their shot selection for the majority of the first half was lacking. 

It felt like a matter of time before something would give, and Strasbourg would be picking the ball out of their own net. And in the 42nd minute, the little resistance they had shown would give. A poorly defended corner was recycled into play by Alfonso Espino. His cross found Florian Lejeune, who volleyed his effort at Penders. However, the keeper could only palm it to Alemão, who struck home to give Rayo a 2-0 lead on aggregate. 

Gary O’Neil took off Ben Chilwell at halftime and brought on Sebastian Nanasi to inject some attacking impetus into the side, but even that couldn’t shake the malaise that had taken root in the squad. It was almost as if Le Racing didn’t realise that they were two goals down as they lethargically pushed their players further up the pitch. 

Opportunities would appear for the substitute Sergio Camello on the counter as Rayo retreated further towards their own goal as the game wore closer to a conclusion. The time wasting and play acting that had characterised the first leg began to show its ugly head near to the final whistle. 

It would take until injury time for Strasbourg to threaten, as they were given a lifeline when Oscar Valentín was penalised for a handball. Julio Enciso stepped up to the spot and, in predictable fashion for how this game had gone, watched Augusto Batalla stop his effort and then leap to his feet to deny Ismaël Doukouré. 

Strasbourg Player Ratings

Mike Penders, 5

The only bright spark in the Strasbourg team. He made plenty of saves throughout the match, but few were particularly difficult for him to make. It was really a case of one player doing his job and achieving the basics, while the rest of his team did not. 

Ben Chilwell, 3

Replaced at half-time by Sebastian Nanasi (3).

Ismaël Doukouré, 3

Andrew Omobamidele, 3

Guela Doué, 3

Samir El Mourabet, 2

A really poor performance from the midfielder. He couldn’t control the rhythm of the game, consistently misplacing his passes. 

Valentín Barco, 2

Similar to his midfield partner, this was a match to forget for the Argentine. For a team that wants to build out from the back, they needed two midfielders who could dictate the game. Instead, they felt the limits of a project built on raw talent and a lack of experience. 

Martial Godo, 3

Abdoul Ouattara, 3

Diego Moreira, 2

Julio Enciso, 2

The attacking midfielder was in at striker for the injured Emanuel Emegha; it was an experiment that didn’t work. His biggest impact until the final twist in the match was when he gave up on his defensive task during Rayo’s goal. His penalty was poorly taken and squandered what would have been an undeserved lifeline for a team that showed nothing and deserved less. 

Selected Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings

Pep Chavarría, 6

Óscar Valentín, 7

Isi Palazón, 7

Alemão, 7

GFFN | Nick Hartland