Conference League
Mainz and Freiburg win European cup quarterfinal first legs
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FSV Mainz 05 defeated RC Strasbourg 2-0 in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg, positioning themselves strongly for the semis ahead of the return leg at La Meinau. SC Freiburg beat Celta Vigo 3-0 in the Europa League. Both German sides dominated their matches.
RC Strasbourg players were heavily insulted by La Meinau ultras on Thursday evening following their Conference League semi-final exit to Rayo Vallecano.
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Rayo Vallecano defeated Strasbourg 0-1 in the Conference League semi-finals and will contest its first European final on May 27 in Leipzig against Crystal Palace.
Rayo Vallecano defeated Kosovo's Drita 3-0 at Vallecas Stadium, securing a historic direct qualification to the Conference League round of 16 with goals from Florian Lejeune, Gerard Gumbau, and Luis Alfonso Pacha Espino. The Madrid side finished fifth in the league phase with 13 points, bypassing the playoff and ensuring home advantage in the return leg. The win, in a festive atmosphere, recalls the 2000/2001 UEFA Cup memories.
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Crystal Palace rescued a 2-2 draw against 10-man KuPS on the final day of the Conference League group stage, securing a playoff spot but missing automatic qualification to the last 16. Christantus Uche gave the hosts an early lead at Selhurst Park, but KuPS fought back after the break before Clinton Antwi's red card allowed Justin Devenny to equalize. Both teams now advance to a two-legged playoff for a round-of-16 place.