Genk face Freiburg in Europa League last 16
Racing Genk will face Freiburg in the last 16 of the Europa League after beating Dinamo Zagreb 6-4 on aggregate in the play-off phase. They sealed their place with a 3-3 draw at home to the Croatian side on Thursday.
Trailing 3-1 after 90 minutes, Genk scored two goals in extra time to draw on the night and secure the overall victory. Dinamo had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Luka Stojković was sent off.
“We qualified with blood, sweat and tears,” manager Nicky Hayen said, adding that his team had “made things difficult for themselves” by conceding a goal just before half-time following an error by goalkeeper Tobias Lawal.
“That kind of mistake is immediately punished in Europe,” he said. “We have to be smarter. I was hard on my players at half-time. I felt like they didn’t realise they were playing in a European match. Things improved after that.”
Genk will play the first leg at home on Thursday 12 March, with the away leg a week later.
German side Freiburg qualified directly for the last 16 thanks to a spot in the top eight of the league phase. Genk finished ninth and had to enter the play-off phase. Both teams currently sit seventh in their domestic leagues.
#FlandersNewsService | Genk's players celebrate after beating Dinamo Zagreb to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, 26 February 2026 © BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS
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