5 – 1
Did it deliver?
SC Freiburg delivered a commanding performance to secure their Europa League progression with a 5-1 victory over Genk at home, winning 5-2 on aggregate. The German side established early dominance through Matthias Ginter's 19th-minute header from a Vincenzo Grifo cross, before Igor Matanovic doubled the lead six minutes later with a close-range finish. Despite Matte Smets briefly reducing the deficit from a corner, Freiburg's clinical finishing proved decisive with Grifo, Yuito Suzuki, and Maximilian Eggestein adding second-half goals. The result showcases Freiburg's growing European credentials and sets up an exciting next round tie, while Genk's continental campaign ends despite flashes of attacking promise.
SC Freiburg must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against KRC Genk in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg at Europa-Park Stadion. The German side will rely on their perfect home record in European competition this season, while Genk arrive with momentum from back-to-back victories and a solid defensive foundation.
Freiburg's primary creative outlet who was substituted in the first leg - his set pieces and crossing ability could be decisive in breaking down Genk's defense
The striker came closest to scoring in the first leg with a stoppage-time effort and will be crucial to Freiburg's hopes of finding the goals needed to progress
With El Ouahdi suspended, the defender will need to anchor Genk's backline and help organize a defensive display to protect their slender advantage
The attacking midfielder was instrumental in Genk's first-leg performance and could provide the counter-attacking threat to kill the tie
SC Freiburg
Genk
SC Freiburg•MidfielderFoul committed by Lucas Höler of SC Freiburg.
Corner kick awarded to Genk after Philipp Lienhart allowed the ball to go out.
The attempt is thwarted. Junya Ito from Genk takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Robin Mirisola.
Another offensive play underway. Derry Scherhant from SC Freiburg takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it's successfully stopped by the goalkeeper.
Missed opportunity! Robin Mirisola from Genk attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Matte Smets.
Substitution for SC Freiburg: Lukas Kübler replaces Philipp Treu.
Substitution for Genk: Nikolas Sattlberger comes on to replace Daan Heymans.
Substitution for SC Freiburg: Philipp Lienhart is coming on to replace Johan Manzambi.
assist: Yuito Suzuki
Goal! SC Freiburg leads Genk 5-1. Maximilian Eggestein scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing it into the left corner of the net. The assist comes from Derry Scherhant after a quick counterattack.
Lucas HölerYellow CardLucas Höler from SC Freiburg has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Foul committed by Lucas Höler of SC Freiburg.
Bryan Heynen from Genk earned a free kick in the defensive area.
Jordy Makengo from SC Freiburg has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Ken Nkuba from Genk committed a foul.
Substitution for SC Freiburg: Derry Scherhant comes on to replace Vincenzo Grifo.
Substitution for SC Freiburg: Patrick Osterhage comes on to replace Igor Matanovic.
Substitution for SC Freiburg: Lucas Höler comes on to replace Niklas Beste.
Substitution for Genk: Junya Ito comes on to replace Ibrahima Bangoura.
Substitution for Genk: Yaimar Medina comes on to replace Joris Kayembe.
Substitution for Genk: Robin Mirisola is coming on to replace Aaron Bibout.
Philipp Treu from SC Freiburg was awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Aaron Bibout from Genk committed a foul.
The pause has ended. They’re set to resume play.
Match is currently paused due to an injury to Yuito Suzuki from SC Freiburg.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg.
Ibrahima BangouraYellow CardIbrahima Bangoura from Genk has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Ibrahima Bangoura from Genk committed a foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Ken Nkuba from Genk takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it's successfully blocked.
Corner kick awarded to Genk after a foul by Bruno Ogbus.
The attempt is thwarted. Ibrahima Bangoura from Genk takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Bryan Heynen.
Corner awarded to Genk after a foul by Igor Matanovic.
Johan ManzambiYellow CardJohan Manzambi of SC Freiburg has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk has earned a free kick in the offensive zone.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Daan HeymansYellow CardDaan Heymans from Genk has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Vincenzo GrifoYellow CardVincenzo Grifo from SC Freiburg has been shown a yellow card.
assist: Johan Manzambi
Goal! SC Freiburg leads Genk 4-1. Yuito Suzuki scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Johan Manzambi after a quick counterattack.
The attempt is thwarted. Ken Nkuba from Genk fires a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked.
Corner kick awarded to Genk after Matthias Ginter allowed the ball to go out.
Goal! SC Freiburg leads 3-1 against Genk. Vincenzo Grifo scores with a left-footed shot from close range, finding the net on the left side of the six-yard box.
Ken Nkuba from Genk has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Matthias Ginter from SC Freiburg takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked.
Opportunity squandered. Yira Sor from Genk attempted a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match halted due to an injury to Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk.
Match interruption due to an injury to Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg.
Substitution for Genk: Yira Sor comes on to replace Noah Adedeji-Sternberg.
Substitution for Genk: Yira Sor comes on to replace Noah Adedeji-Sternberg.
The first half has concluded with SC Freiburg leading Genk 2-1.
Opportunity squandered. Maximilian Eggestein from SC Freiburg attempted a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of stoppage time.
Niklas BesteYellow CardNiklas Beste from SC Freiburg has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Noah Adedeji-Sternberg from Genk has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Niklas Beste from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Ken Nkuba from Genk took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it sailed over the crossbar.
Offside call against Genk. Aaron Bibout has been flagged for being offside.
assist: Konstantinos Karetsas
Goal! SC Freiburg 2, Genk 1. Matte Smets from Genk scores with a right-footed shot from close range into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Konstantinos Karetsas following a corner kick.
Goal! SC Freiburg 2, Genk 1. Matte Smets from Genk scores with a right-footed shot from close range following a corner kick.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg earned a free kick on the right flank.
Joris Kayembe from Genk committed a foul.
Ken Nkuba from Genk has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Jordy Makengo from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Maximilian Eggestein from SC Freiburg committed a handball foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Bryan Heynen from Genk heads the ball from the middle of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Konstantinos Karetsas, who delivered a cross.
Igor MatanovicYellow CardIgor Matanovic from SC Freiburg has been shown a yellow card.
Matte Smets from Genk earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
Igor Matanovic from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
assist: Matthias Ginter
Goal! SC Freiburg leads 2-0 against Genk. Igor Matanovic scores with a right-footed shot from close range into the left corner of the net. The assist comes from Matthias Ginter, who set him up with a header.
The attempt is thwarted. Yuito Suzuki from SC Freiburg takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Maximilian Eggestein.
Ibrahima Bangoura from Genk committed a foul.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Noah Adedeji-Sternberg from Genk has been awarded a free kick in the attacking zone.
Matthias Ginter from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Josue Kongolo from Genk earned a free kick in the defensive area.
Igor Matanovic from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Aaron Bibout from Genk attempted a header from the center of the box, but it sailed over the crossbar. The assist came from Joris Kayembe, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
Corner kick awarded to Genk after Noah Atubolu allowed the ball to go out.
A new offensive play unfolds. Aaron Bibout from Genk heads the ball from the center of the box, but Noah Atubolu from SC Freiburg makes a save in the top left corner. The assist came from Joris Kayembe.
assist: Vincenzo Grifo
Goal! SC Freiburg takes the lead 1-0 against Genk. Matthias Ginter scores with a header from the center of the box, placing the ball into the right corner. The assist came from Vincenzo Grifo, who delivered a precise cross.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg earned a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Ken Nkuba from Genk committed a foul.
Offside call against SC Freiburg. Niklas Beste has been flagged for being offside.
A shot is deflected. Vincenzo Grifo from SC Freiburg attempted a right-footed strike from the center of the penalty area, but it was blocked. The assist came from Igor Matanovic.
Matte Smets from Genk has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Igor Matanovic from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Corner awarded to SC Freiburg after Ibrahima Bangoura allowed the ball to go out.
Corner kick awarded to SC Freiburg after Josue Kongolo's defensive play.
Another offensive push from Genk. Daan Heymans takes a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, but Noah Atubolu from SC Freiburg makes a great save, stopping it in the top center of the goal. The assist came from Konstantinos Karetsas.
The attempt on goal is thwarted. Yuito Suzuki from SC Freiburg takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist comes from Igor Matanovic.
Offside call against SC Freiburg. Yuito Suzuki has been caught in an offside position.
Niklas Beste from SC Freiburg was awarded a free kick on the right flank.
Joris Kayembe from Genk committed a foul.
Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk has been awarded a free kick in an attacking position.
Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg committed a foul.
Jordy Makengo of SC Freiburg commits a handball.
The opening half is underway.
