UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals
SC Freiburg 3 - 0 FT Celta Vigo
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
10' V. Grifo (J. Manzambi)
32' J. Beste (I. Matanovic)
HT
↓ W. Swedberg ↑J. El Abdellaoui 46'
↓ J. Rodriguez ↑F. Lopez 46'
↓ H. Sotelo ↑M. Vecino 61'
↓ F. Jutgla ↑P. Duran 73'
↓ B. Iglesias ↑I. Aspas 73'
74' ↓ V. Grifo ↑L. Holer
74' ↓ Y. Suzuki ↑D. Scherhant
78' M. Ginter (J. Beste)
89' ↓ J. Beste ↑L. Kubler
90'+5 M. Eggestein
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
SC Freiburg
Goalkeepers
Noah Atubolu 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
95
Minutes
Defenders
Philipp Treu 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
59%
Pass Acc
Matthias Ginter 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Philipp Lienhart 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jordy Makengo 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein 
MAGNET
67
Activity
67
Activity
56
Passes
11
Duels
Johan Manzambi
MAGNET
68
Activity
68
Activity
52
Passes
16
Duels
Jan-Niklas Beste 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Yuito Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Vincenzo Grifo
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Igor Matanović 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.3
Rating
BENCH
Florian Müller
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jannik Huth
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
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
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bruno Ogbus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lukas Kübler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolas Höfler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rouven Tarnutzer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Derry Scherhant
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Höler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maximilian Philipp
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cyriaque Irié
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Celta Vigo
Goalkeepers
Ionuț Radu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Javi Rodríguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Joseph Aidoo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Alonso
MAGNET
86
Activity
86
Activity
76
Passes
10
Duels
Midfielders
Óscar Mingueza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Sotelo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Ilaix Moriba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergio Carreira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Ferran Jutglà
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Borja Iglesias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Williot Swedberg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
BENCH
Iván Villar
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Manu Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alvaro Núñez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Carlos Domínguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yoel Lago
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fer López
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
50
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matías Vecino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Franco Cervi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrés Antañón
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jones El-Abdellaoui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
50
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Iago Aspas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Durán
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2026 | SC Freiburg | 3 - 0 | Celta Vigo | UEFA Europa League | Europa-Park Stadion |
04/09/2026
SC Freiburg Win
Celta Vigo Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Freiburg Suffocate Celta in Quarter-Final Masterclass
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 43/100. A ruthless attacking display from the hosts effectively dismantled their Spanish visitors, all but deciding this quarter-final tie before the return leg.
Fast Start at Europa-Park-Stadion
The Stakes were immense for this crucial Europa League knockout clash, but SC Freiburg showed absolutely no nerves on the big stage. They edged possession in the opening exchanges, methodically probing a surprisingly cautious Celta Vigo side. The vital breakthrough arrived inside just ten minutes. J. Manzambi orchestrated the move perfectly, slipping a precise, defense-splitting pass to V. Grifo, who made no mistake to set the tone for the evening. This early opener immediately shattered the Balance of the tie, forcing the visitors to completely rethink their conservative tactical approach. Rather than sitting back on their lead, the German hosts maintained a relentless tempo, turning the pitch into a tactical nightmare for the outmatched Spanish outfit.
A One-Sided Siege
As the first half progressed, the Intensity of the home side's high press completely overwhelmed the opposition. The shot count rapidly tilted, culminating in a dominant 13-4 attacking siege that kept the crowd on their feet. By the 32nd minute, the hosts deservedly doubled their advantage. I. Matanovic found space and picked out J. Beste, who finished clinically to effectively kill off any immediate hopes of a Spanish revival. The visitors struggled desperately to string meaningful passes together in the final third, ultimately failing to register a single shot on target throughout the entire ninety minutes. It was a masterclass in suffocating midfield control, leaving the away side chasing shadows while the home crowd roared their approval.
Ginter Seals the First Leg
The second half offered very little respite for the traveling fans. Celta Vigo's goalkeeper managed a commendable four saves to keep the scoreline semi-respectable during certain stretches, but the relentless pressure eventually told once more. In the 78th minute, M. Ginter rose highest in the box to connect with a pinpoint delivery from Beste, capping off a brilliant individual defensive performance with a goal and cementing a famous 3-0 victory. This emphatic result leaves the Spanish side requiring nothing short of a miracle in the return leg on April 16th. For Freiburg, this commanding performance sends a chilling message to the rest of the competition: they are deadly serious contenders for European glory.
Key Questions
What made Matthias Ginter the Man of the Match?
Ginter anchored a flawless defense that allowed zero shots on target and crowned his commanding performance with a late headed goal to seal the 3-0 victory.
What does this mean for SC Freiburg's season?
This dominant 3-0 first-leg win puts them in pole position to reach the Europa League semi-finals, heavily boosting their momentum for both domestic and European campaigns.
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.
Freiburg's Fortress Faces Celta's Quarter-Final Ambition
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 96/100. With a semi-final berth looming, this first leg pitches an immovable home defence against a dangerous traveling attack.
The Setup
The Stakes are colossal as the UEFA Europa League reaches the last eight. On April 09, 2026, SC Freiburg welcome Celta Vigo to the Europa-Park Stadion. Freiburg have turned their ground into a fortress. Five wins from five home matches gives them a Form rating that demands respect. They have conceded just four goals all tournament. But Celta Vigo are genuine away specialists. The Spaniards have snatched three victories on the road already. A high Balance score reflects a razor-thin margin separating these sides. This is just part one. The return leg in Spain on April 16 will ultimately decide who advances.
Key Battle
Matthias Ginter anchors the German backline. His task is to nullify Celta's primary creative spark, Williot Swedberg. The Stars on display here can change a tie in seconds. Ginter's aerial dominance and reading of the game must be flawless to keep Swedberg quiet.
Our Prediction
We expect a tight, tactical affair. Freiburg's home momentum should give them a narrow edge. A 1-0 win for the hosts leaves everything to play for in the second leg.