PLAYER RATINGS | Toulouse 1-2 Strasbourg: Emanuel Emegha brace secures win as RCSA survive late scare
Today at 01:18 PM
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 17, 12/01/25
Toulouse FC saw a late leveller ruled out as RC Strasbourg Alsace secured their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions (1-2) thanks to a first-half brace from Emanuel Emegha.
The Match
Despite beginning the encounter as the brighter side, with Charlie Creswell heading inches wide during the opening exchanges, it was Strasbourg who took the lead, pouncing on a big error from Guillaume Restes. The France youth international, coming out of his box to collect a routing back-pass, slipped just as the ball got to him, allowing Emegha to steal in and tap into the empty net.
Undeterred, Le TéFéCé continued to look the brighter, controlling the game for large parts. Zakaria Aboukhlal twice went close, shooting inches wide before then being denied by a last-ditch block from the recovering Ismael Doukouré. Then once again, Toulouse conceded against the run of play.
Once again it was Emegha who provided the simple tap-in but unlike the first goal, which came from a Toulouse error, this was a goal entirely of Strasbourg’s making. RCSA baited Toulouse forward and then broke through them with intricate precision. It was Habib Diarra who found himself at the byline, putting the ball across the face of goal for Emegha to tuck home his second.
Les Violets did then have a route back into the match. It came in fortuitous circumstances as Doukouré headed a deflected free-kick, inadvertently wrongfooting Djordje Petrovic. Strasbourg then believed they had restored their three-goal advantage just minutes later as Emegha once again tucked into an empty net at the back-post. He was, however, denied a hat-trick due to a close offside call.
Toulous almost went in level. Once again it was Aboukhlal as this time he did work Petrovic into a save. The Chelsea loanee was, however, present to maintain the visitors’ lead going into half-time. There was not the same precision and incision from either side in the second half as the game closed up, in part thanks to Strasbourg’s capacity to retain possession more than they had during the first 45 minutes.
However, RCSA would get two big let-offs before the end of the encounter. Andrey Santos clattered into the back of Yann Gboho with the referee pointing to the spot. After a lengthy VAR check, the contact was adjudged to have happened outside the box.
Just moments later, Toulouse thought they were level. Les Alsaciens were caught napping as the hosts took a quick free-kick, releasing Aboukhlal down the left, who found Franck Magri. The Toulouse forward finished it well but after another lengthy VAR check, Mark McKenzie was adjudged to have been in an offside position and disrupting Petrovic’s ability to stop the effort.
Toulouse couldn’t find a leveller and succumbed to defeat. Strasbourg continue their fine run and move into the top half of the table, just one point behind Le TéFéCé.
Strasbourg player ratings
Djordje Petrovic – 5
Diego Moreira – 4
Mamadou Sarr – 5
Ismael Doukouré – 6
Guéla Doué – 7
Andrey Santos – 4
Not at his imposing best for the full 90 minutes, despite a strong first 45 minutes. His foul on Gboho, ultimately just outside the box, was a rare moment of inexperience from the Brazilian, who has had a largely flawless season.
Habib Diarra – 6
Sébastien Nanasi – 6
Félix Lemarechal – 6
Dilane Bakwa – 7
Emanuel Emegha – 8
It was perhaps the easiest brace that he will ever score but he had to be active and in the right place at the right time to take both chances, and he was. Emegha has made a big difference since making his return in 2025 and provides a goal-scoring threat unparalleled by his teammates.
Toulouse selected player ratings
Guillaume Restes – 3
The match-defining error was made by the young goalkeeper. After a strong start, it was his slip that offered RCSA the first goal and changed the course of this match.
Charlie Cresswell – 6
Zakaria Aboukhlal – 6
