Strasbourg qualified for the semi-finals of the French Cup after a difficult 2-1 victory over its guest Reims, in the match that brought them together at La Meno Stadium in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.The hosts imposed their absolute control from the beginning, as Moroccan Yassine Kashta was the main driver of the attacks, and created certain chances for both Sebastian Nanase and Thomas Panikili, but the brilliance of goalkeeper Alexandre Olero prevented goals from being scored in the first half.At the start of the second half, the post denied Gildas Doue the opportunity to score for Strasbourg on two occasions, while Reims almost turned the tables in the 68th minute, had it not been for the great alertness of goalkeeper Mike Benders, who saved a certain goal from a shot by Japanese Hiroki Sekin.The Strasbourg coach made offensive substitutions with the entry of Julio Enciso, which increased pressure on the visitors' defenses, which had long withstood successive crosses by Ben Chilwell and Keshta.Argentine striker Panikili scored the lead goal for Strasbourg in the 83rd minute, as he shot a powerful ball with his right foot facing goalkeeper Alexander...
Olero hit the crossbar before entering the net, announcing the first goal of the match.
Three minutes before the end of the match, the match referee awarded a penalty kick to Strasbourg as a result of a handball on Ivorian winger Patrick Oise inside the area. After a slight dispute between Julio Enciso and Panikili over who would execute it, Enciso shot the ball forcefully, hitting the crossbar and entering the goal.
In stoppage time, Reims responded with a goal to reduce the difference, when Patrick Szaby took advantage of an ideal position inside the penalty area to fire a powerful and perfect shot that went past goalkeeper Mike Benders.
