Strasbourg Stuns Monaco With Enciso Brace In Cup Thriller

Strasbourg fans had every reason to pack the Stade de la Meinau with hope and excitement on Thursday night, as their side faced off against Monaco in a high-stakes Coupe de France round-of-16 clash. With both teams vying for the last available spot in the quarterfinals, anticipation was sky-high. The Alsatians, fresh off a commanding 6-0 win over Avranches in the previous round, were determined to keep their cup dream alive against a Monaco side that had recently dispatched Orléans 3-1 to reach this stage.

The match kicked off at 20:00 GMT under the watchful eyes of supporters and a host of international broadcasters, including beIN Sports France 1 HD and SuperSport 3 Albania HD. Strasbourg's lineup, featuring the likes of Penders in goal, G. Doué, Doukouré, Högsberg, Chilwell at the back, El Mourabet and Barco in midfield, and a lively attacking trio of Moreira, Enciso, and Godo behind Panichelli, looked poised to challenge Monaco's defensive resilience. Monaco, meanwhile, fielded Köhn between the sticks, with Teze, Zakaria, Kehrer, and Vanderson forming the defensive line, supported by Camara, Coulibaly, Henrique, Akliouche, Biereth, and Golovin further up the pitch.

Strasbourg wasted no time in setting the tone. Just seven minutes in, Martial Godo electrified the crowd by slotting home the opener, ending Monaco’s quest for a fourth consecutive clean sheet in dramatic fashion. The early goal sent a clear message: Strasbourg were here to attack, and they weren’t about to let recent history—no wins in their last seven head-to-heads against Monaco—define the night.

Both squads entered the contest with notable absences. Strasbourg were missing Maxi Oyedele (muscle injury) and Emmanuel Emegha (leg injury), while Monaco were without a slew of key players: Wout Faes, Paul Pogba, Eric Dier, Christian Mawissa, and Pape Cabral all sidelined, along with long-term knee-injury victims Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and Lukas Hradecky. The transfer window had also seen some movement, with Strasbourg welcoming Chelsea loanee Aaron Anselmino and Monaco bringing in Simon Adingra on loan from Sunderland to bolster their ranks after the departure of George Ilenikhena to Al Ittihad.

Despite these challenges, the action on the pitch never let up. Monaco, desperate to claw their way back, pressed forward. But Strasbourg’s defense, marshaled by the likes of Doukouré and Högsberg, stood firm. As the second half began, the match’s momentum shifted decisively in favor of the hosts—thanks in large part to the dazzling form of Julio Enciso.

Enciso, the 22-year-old Paraguay international on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, had been tipped as a potential game-changer. Predictions earlier in the week had highlighted his scoring streak—five goals in his previous seven appearances, and six in all competitions for the 2025/26 season. He had already proven himself in cup competitions, notching a brace in Strasbourg’s 6-0 demolition of Avranches. On Thursday, he didn’t disappoint.

Early in the second half, Enciso struck twice in rapid succession, putting Strasbourg in a commanding position. His clinical finishing left Monaco’s defense scrambling and the home fans roaring. According to the Associated Press, "Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso scored twice as Strasbourg beat Monaco 3-1 at home to reach the French Cup quarterfinals." Enciso’s ability to find space and exploit defensive lapses was on full display, and his confidence seemed to lift the entire Strasbourg side.

Monaco, to their credit, didn’t fold. Just as Strasbourg’s celebrations began to settle, Mika Biereth found the net for the visitors in the 58th minute, narrowing the deficit and injecting some suspense back into the contest. Biereth’s goal was a reminder that Monaco, despite their injury woes and patchy away form—seven defeats on the road this season—were still a force to be reckoned with, especially in knockout football.

The closing stages saw Monaco push hard, but Strasbourg’s recent home form—three wins in their last four matches at the Meinau, with the sole defeat coming against PSG—proved telling. The home side managed the game with composure, soaking up pressure and launching counterattacks that kept Monaco honest at the back. The atmosphere was electric, with fans sensing that a return to the quarterfinals was within reach.

When the final whistle blew, Strasbourg had secured a memorable 3-1 victory, snapping a seven-match winless streak against Monaco and booking their place in the Coupe de France quarterfinals. The result was a testament to the team’s resilience, tactical discipline, and the individual brilliance of Enciso, who continues to justify his loan signing with every passing game.

Strasbourg’s reward for their efforts is a home tie against second-tier Reims in the next round—a tantalizing prospect, given that Reims are the only non-Ligue 1 side left in the competition and last year’s runner-up. The draw offers Strasbourg a golden opportunity to push even deeper into the tournament and perhaps dream of a first cup triumph since their famous 2001 victory.

Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Lyon—powered by Brazil forward Endrick, who scored his fifth goal in five games on loan from Real Madrid—will host Lens. Marseille is set to face Toulouse, while Nice travels to Lorient. The stage is set for a thrilling set of matchups as the Coupe de France enters its decisive phase.

For Strasbourg, Thursday’s victory was more than just a win; it was a statement. Despite injury setbacks, squad changes, and a challenging draw, they rose to the occasion and delivered a performance that will live long in the memory of their supporters. Enciso’s star continues to rise, and with a favorable quarterfinal draw ahead, the Alsatians have every reason to believe that this cup run could go even further.

As the dust settles on a pulsating night in Strasbourg, attention now turns to the next challenge. The city is buzzing, the fans are dreaming, and the Coupe de France adventure continues—alive with the promise of more magic to come.