Knowing only a victory and Nice and Lille both failing to win would give them a first taste of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), Strasbourg’s opening quarter-hour didn’t go as hoped.
It was instead Le Havre – who were involved in their own final-day battle against automatic relegation – who looked the more likely to break the deadlock.
Sékou Mara soon got the ball rolling for the hosts as he forced a fine save from Mathieu Gorgelin. However, it got even better for Liam Rosenior’s men after 20 minutes as captain Andrey Santos led by example. The Brazilian expertly fired Strasbourg ahead with a sublime strike from the back post.
In response, only a fabulous diving save at his near post from Đorđe Petrović prevented Issa Soumaré’s close-range header from getting the visitors back level.
Le Havre were given a helping hand in their efforts to equalise before half time. Valentín Barco’s careless handball in the box allowed Touré to make no mistake from the penalty spot as he confidently converted into the corner to level matters.
It only took Strasbourg eight minutes into the second half to restore their lead, as like in December’s reverse fixture, Sebastian Nanasi got his name on the scoresheet again with another sublime strike.
It appeared that Le Havre had levelled again in the 66th minute after Petrović’s attempted clearance had cannoned off Yassine Kechta, allowing Koka to slot home. However, the Chelsea loanee was left relieved as VAR deemed that the substitute had strayed offside in the build-up.
However, that thankful look was quickly wiped off Petrović’s face four minutes later as Josué Casimir exquisitely volleyed Issa Soumaré’s delivery home.
Koka then beat Petrović but not the crossbar in the 82nd minute, but that did not turn out to be the visitors’ final attempt.
Andrew Omobamidele’s poorly-timed challenge in the area allowed Touré to calmly chip the pressure penalty home to incredulously lift his side out of the relegation play-off position at the expense of Reims.
Meanwhile, Le Racing miss out on a first European campaign since 2019 in heartbreaking fashion.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre)