Match report

Genk Defeats SC Freiburg 1-0 in UEFA Europa League

Genk
Genk
1–0
FT
SC Freiburg
SC Freiburg
Mar 12, 2026

Genk outlasted SC Freiburg with a narrow 1-0 victory in the UEFA Europa League, with Zakaria El Ouahdi scoring the decisive goal. The win was a testament to Genk's defensive resilience and strategic substitutions, keeping SC Freiburg at bay despite their early setback.

Key Facts

  • • Zakaria El Ouahdi scored the only goal for Genk at the 24th minute
  • • SC Freiburg had a goal cancelled due to VAR at the 10th minute by J. Manzambi
  • • Genk secured the win with strong defensive efforts
  • • SC Freiburg made multiple substitutions in the second half

Lineups

Genk

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 26 Tobias Okiki Lawal (G)
  • 77 Zakaria El Ouahdi (D)
  • 44 Josue Ndenge Kongolo (D)
  • 6 Matte Smets (D)
  • 18 Joris Kayembe (D)
  • 21 Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (M)
  • 20 Konstantinos Karetsas (M)
  • 8 Bryan Heynen (M)
  • 38 Daan Heymans (M)
  • 32 Noah Adedeji-Sternberg (M)
  • 23 Aaron Bibout (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Mujaid Sadick
  • 19 Yaimar Medina
  • 14 Yira Collins Sor
  • 29 Robin Mirisola
  • 1 Hendrik Van Crombrugge
  • 34 Adrian Palacios
  • 7 Jarne Steuckers
  • 10 Junya Ito
  • 24 Nikolas Sattlberger
  • 27 Ken Nkuba
  • 30 Ayumu Yokoyama
  • 99 Jusef Erabi

SC Freiburg

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Noah Atubolu (G)
  • 29 Philipp Treu (D)
  • 28 Matthias Ginter (D)
  • 43 Bruno Ogbus (D)
  • 30 Christian Günter (D)
  • 6 Patrick Osterhage (M)
  • 44 Johan Manzambi (M)
  • 19 Jan-Niklas Beste (M)
  • 14 Yuito Suzuki (M)
  • 32 Vincenzo Grifo (M)
  • 31 Igor Matanović (F)

Substitutes

  • 22 Cyriaque Irié
  • 7 Derry Scherhant
  • 9 Lucas Höler
  • 21 Florian Müller
  • 24 Jannik Huth
  • 3 Philipp Lienhart
  • 5 Anthony Jung
  • 33 Jordy Makengo
  • 65 Karl Steinmann
  • 17 Lukas Kübler
  • 27 Nicolas Höfler
  • 69 Rouven Tarnutzer

Timeline

  1. SC Freiburg
    10' SC Freiburg Var · Goal cancelled
    J. Manzambi
  2. Genk
    24' Genk Goal · Normal Goal
    Zakaria El Ouahdi · Assist: B. Heynen
  3. SC Freiburg
    63' SC Freiburg subst · Substitution 1
    Off: V. Grifo · On: D. Scherhant
  4. SC Freiburg
    63' SC Freiburg subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Beste · On: C. Irie
  5. SC Freiburg
    71' SC Freiburg subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Y. Suzuki · On: L. Holer
  6. Genk
    74' Genk Card · Yellow Card
    Zakaria El Ouahdi

    Foul

  7. Genk
    77' Genk subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Adedeji-Sternberg · On: Y. Sor
  8. Genk
    77' Genk subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Kongolo · On: Mujaid Sadick
  9. Genk
    77' Genk subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Kayembe · On: Y. Medina
  10. SC Freiburg
    80' SC Freiburg Card · Yellow Card
    B. Ogbus

    Foul

  11. Genk
    83' Genk subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Bibout · On: R. Mirisola

Match Stats

Stat Genk SC Freiburg
Fouls 16 9
Pass Accuracy 82% 81%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 5
Corners 5 7
Total Passes 396 398
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 6 3
Shots on Target 3 2
xG 1.00 0.30
Shots off Target 8 1
Possession 50% 50%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 326 323
Shots Inside Box 8 4
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 9 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Genk capitalized on their early chance when Zakaria El Ouahdi scored at the 24th minute, giving them a crucial lead
  • ▸ SC Freiburg's early goal being cancelled due to VAR at the 10th minute shifted momentum in favor of Genk