The remarkable European journey of Strasbourg came to a painful end on Thursday night as Rayo Vallecano secured another narrow victory to book their place in the UEFA Conference League final.

After edging the first leg in Spain, the side coached by Inigo Perez repeated the feat in France with a disciplined 1-0 win, silencing the home crowd and completing a professional aggregate triumph.

Strasbourg, playing their 50th match of a demanding season, looked physically and emotionally drained throughout the contest. The French side struggled to match the tactical organisation and composure of their Spanish opponents, who controlled long periods of the game with maturity and confidence.

The decisive moment arrived shortly before half-time. Goalkeeper Mike Penders initially kept the hosts alive with a strong save, but Alemao reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home from close range to send the travelling supporters into celebration.

Despite passionate backing from the stands, the Alsatian side never truly looked capable of mounting a comeback. Head coach Gary O’Neil attempted to inject fresh energy through a series of substitutions, yet Rayo Vallecano expertly slowed the tempo whenever necessary, combining defensive discipline with the kind of game management usually associated with seasoned European contenders.

There was one final opportunity for drama deep into stoppage time when the referee awarded Strasbourg a penalty for handball inside the area. But on a night that summed up the club’s recent struggles, Julio Enciso failed to convert from the spot as goalkeeper Augusto Batalla produced a decisive save.

The result sends Rayo Vallecano to Leipzig, where they will face Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League final on 27 May.

2025-26, Conference League

Strasbourg - Rayo Vallecano 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Alemao, 42 (0:1)

Strasbourg: Penders; Omobamidele; Chilwell (Nanasi, 46); Doukouré Is.; Doué G.; Barco; El Mourabet (Amo-Ameyaw, 67); Moreira D.; Enciso; Godo M.; Ouattara G.
Substitution: Nanasi (from 46); Amo-Ameyaw (from 67)
Bench: Johnsson; Hogsberg; Oyedele M.; Luis R.; Amougou; Yassine
Yellow Cards: Chilwell 25; Moreira D. 80

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Chavarría; Espino; Lejeune; Ratiu; Ciss P.; López U. (Gumbau, 86); Valentín Ó.; Palazón (Díaz Р., 78; Álvaro García, 85); Alemao (Camello, 65); De Frutos (Balliu, 78)
Substitution: Camello (from 65); Díaz Р. (from 78 till 85); Balliu (from 78); Álvaro García (from 85); Gumbau (from 86)
Bench: Cárdenas; Mendy N.; Trejo
Yellow Cards: López U. 86; Valentín Ó. 86; Batalla 88