Freiburg End Celta’s Streak with Commanding Away Victory to Secure Historic Europa League Semi-Final Spot

Key Takeaways:

• Freiburg defeated Celta Vigo 3-1 at Estadio de Balaidos, sealing a 6-1 aggregate win
• Celta Vigo’s 11-match home winning run in European second legs came to an end
• Freiburg reached the UEFA competition semi-finals for the first time in their history

Match Overview

SC Freiburg produced a commanding performance to sweep past RC Celta de Vigo 3-1 away at the Estadio de Balaidos, completing a 6-1 aggregate triumph and booking a place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals for the first time in club history. The result not only dashed Celta’s hopes but also ended their remarkable 11-game winning sequence in European second-leg matches on home turf.

🚨🇩🇪 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | For the FIRST time in their history, Freiburg will play in a European semi-final! Incredible moment for them. ✅

They will play Braga OR Real Betis in the Europa League semi-final.

Historic day for Freiburg! ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/r6EvIap8j7

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 16, 2026

First Half: Freiburg Take Full Control

Entering the second leg with a considerable deficit, Celta required a spirited response but offered little resistance in the opening period. Freiburg were quick to lay down a marker, with Johan Manzambi shooting from distance albeit off target. The visitors quickly capitalised, scoring twice in quick succession to settle the tie.

The opener was a work of art: a lofted pass was won in the air by Jean-Victor Makengo, and Igor Matanovic dispatched a scintillating volley into the top corner for his third goal in this season’s competition. Soon thereafter, Yuito Suzuki doubled both his personal tally and Freiburg’s advantage; his incisive one-two with Jan-Niklas Beste broke through Celta’s defence, and his effort found the bottom corner after a deflection off Marcos Alonso’s foot.

Second Half: Suzuki Completes Double as Freiburg Cruise

Having conceded only six goals prior to this second leg—the lowest in the competition—Freiburg’s defensive record highlighted the near impossibility of a Celta comeback. Any lingering hopes for the hosts evaporated when Suzuki netted his second of the night. Johan Manzambi dribbled menacingly, nearly rounding goalkeeper Ionut Radu, before Vincenzo Grifo squared for Suzuki to slot in.

Celta’s Iago Aspas threatened with a free-kick in search of his seventh Europa League goal contribution this season, but his shot curled narrowly wide. Freiburg substitutes almost extended the lead further, as Lucas Holer struck the post before Derry Scherhant’s follow-up was saved brilliantly by Radu.

Late Response and Statistical Summary

Celta’s attacking efforts remained largely fruitless, with Fer Lopez shooting just wide and Jones El Abdellaoui denied from close range by Noah Atubolu. The hosts finally found the net in injury time via Williot Swedberg, but it merely served as consolation on another disappointing night—marking the third consecutive match in which Celta have conceded three goals.

The triumph represents only Freiburg’s second away victory in their past nine Europa League fixtures (three draws, four defeats). Their steadfast defence was breached just once across both legs. Parallel to their run in the DFB-Pokal, Freiburg now advance to the semi-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time in their history.