UEFA Europa League Final
SC Freiburg 0 - 3 FT Aston Villa
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
5' P. Treu
E. Buendia 15'
M. Cash 21'
Y. Tielemans (M. Rogers) 41'
E. Buendia (J. McGinn) 45'+3
HT
M. Rogers (E. Buendia) 58'
61' ↓ P. Lienhart ↑M. Rosenfelder
61' ↓ N. Hofler ↑L. Holer
↓ V. Lindelof ↑A. Onana 66'
73' ↓ V. Grifo ↑D. Scherhant
73' ↓ L. Kubler ↑J. Makengo
↓ E. Buendia ↑J. Sancho 81'
↓ L. Digne ↑I. Maatsen 81'
J. McGinn 84'
86' ↓ J. Beste ↑C. Gunter
↓ P. Torres ↑T. Mings 88'
↓ Y. Tielemans ↑Douglas Luiz 88'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
SC Freiburg
Goalkeepers
Noah Atubolu 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Lukas Kübler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Matthias Ginter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philipp Lienhart
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Philipp Treu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolas Höfler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Jan-Niklas Beste 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
12%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Johan Manzambi 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Vincenzo Grifo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Forwards
Igor Matanović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Florian Müller 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jannik Huth
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Maximilian Rosenfelder 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Anthony Jung
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christian Günter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
4
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jordy Makengo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bruno Ogbus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Patrick Osterhage
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Höler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Derry Scherhant
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cyriaque Irié
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maximilian Philipp
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aston Villa
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Matty Cash 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Ezri Konsa
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Pau Torres
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
44%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Lucas Digne
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
Midfielders
Victor Lindelöf
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Youri Tielemans 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
John McGinn
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
Morgan Rogers 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.6
Rating
Emiliano Buendía
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Ollie Watkins
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Marco Bizot
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
James Wright
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tyrone Mings
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrés García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ian Maatsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amadou Onana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Harvey Elliott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Douglas Luiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lamare Bogarde
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jadon Sancho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leon Bailey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tammy Abraham
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Villa Seize European Glory in Istanbul Masterclass
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. A commanding performance saw the English side overwhelm their German opponents to lift the Europa League trophy in style.
A Final of Attrition
The Stakes were immense at Tüpraş Stadyumu for this UEFA Europa League final. SC Freiburg actually edged possession early on, trying to dictate the tempo against a formidable Aston Villa side. However, their control was merely a mirage. The English giants set up a robust defensive block and waited patiently to spring the trap. The Balance of play shifted dramatically as the first half wore on. The Midlanders transformed the match into an attacking siege, relentlessly peppering the German goal. Vincenzo Grifo and his Freiburg colleagues struggled to create any meaningful penetration, managing barely a whisper of a threat in the final third. Villa's tactical patience was about to pay off in devastating fashion.
The Quickfire Double
The match ignited just before the interval, breaking German hearts. Y. Tielemans finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, finishing smartly after being set up perfectly by M. Rogers. This opening blow completely shattered Freiburg's fragile resolve. Before the Bundesliga side could even attempt to regroup, Villa struck again with ruthless efficiency. Deep into first-half stoppage time, E. Buendia doubled the advantage with a crucial strike, capitalising on a clever, incisive ball from J. McGinn. The sheer Intensity of Villa's late-half surge left their opponents entirely shell-shocked. Going into the dressing room trailing by two, Freiburg's long-awaited European dream was rapidly turning into an inescapable nightmare.
Crowning the Champions
Any lingering hopes of a miraculous comeback were extinguished swiftly after the restart. M. Rogers turned from provider to lethal executioner in the 58th minute, latching onto a precise pass from E. Buendia to make it three. From there, Villa cruised to the finish line without breaking a sweat. A barrage of seventeen shots compared to a paltry four from Freiburg told the true, undeniable story of the night. The Upset Factor was utterly non-existent as the tournament heavyweights systematically dismantled their challengers on the grandest stage. The final whistle brought jubilation and tears of joy. Aston Villa are the Europa League champions, capping off a stellar European campaign with an emphatic knockout blow.
Key Questions
What made Youri Tielemans the Man of the Match?
He scored the crucial opening goal, controlled the midfield tempo, and delivered key passes that dismantled the opposition's defensive setup.
What does this mean for SC Freiburg's season?
Heartbreak in the final means they miss out on European silverware, forcing them to reflect on a heavy defeat on the biggest stage.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Ultimate Prize on the Line in Europa League Finale
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 97/100. Aston Villa's flawless momentum meets Freiburg's impenetrable defense in a final that promises uncompromising European drama.
The Setup
Besiktas Park plays host to a UEFA Europa League Final where the Stakes could not be higher. Aston Villa arrive on May 20, 2026, riding a formidable five-match winning streak across all competitions, exhibiting a devastating level of Form that makes them heavy favourites to lift the trophy. However, SC Freiburg are no pushovers. The German outfit boasts a perfect record of six wins from six in their designated home fixtures during this campaign, conceding a miserly 0.3 goals per game. This clash of defensive solidity against relentless attacking intent creates a fascinating tactical Balance. With world-class Stars taking the pitch across both highly-tuned squads, this winner-takes-all showdown is set to push both sides to their absolute physical and mental limits.
Key Battle
The creative duel between Vincenzo Grifo and John McGinn will dictate the ultimate tempo of this final. Grifo is Freiburg's undisputed assist king, pulling the strings in the final third with vision and precision. On the other side, McGinn’s relentless engine drives Villa's rapid transitions from back to front. Whoever successfully claims control of these central zones will likely hand their team the crucial advantage.
Our Prediction
We expect Aston Villa to edge a tense affair, winning 2-1. Freiburg will likely sit deep and frustrate the English side early on, but Villa's overwhelming offensive firepower and sheer persistence should eventually break down the stubborn German resistance late in the second half.