Freiburg sink Celta to clinch first appearance in Europa League semis

TL;DR

Freiburg clinched their first-ever Europa League semi-final appearance with a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo, winning 6-1 on aggregate. Yuito Suzuki scored twice, leading the team to this historic milestone.

Key points

Freiburg reached the Europa League semi-finals for the first time
They won 3-1 against Celta Vigo in the second leg
Yuito Suzuki scored two goals in the match
Freiburg won the tie 6-1 on aggregate
They will face Real Betis or Sporting Braga in the next round

FreiburgCelta VigoReal BetisSporting Braga

Freiburg's Japanese midfielder Yuito Suzuki (L) celebrates scoring against Celta Vigo (Miguel RIOPA) (Miguel RIOPA/AFP/AFP) Freiburg made history as they swept into the Europa League semi-finals for the first time with a 3-1 win against Celta Vigo on Thursday. Julian Schuster's side already had one foot in their first ever European semi-final after a 3-0 victory in the quarter-final first leg in Germany last week. They finished the job in Vigo, winning 6-1 on aggregate thanks to Igor Matanovic's opener and Yuito Suzuki's double. In the semi-finals, Freiburg will play Real Betis or Sporting Braga, who are level at 1-1 ahead of their showdown in Spain later on Thursday. Having already made history by reaching the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time this season, Freiburg can now set their sights on a maiden final. They have built their Europa League campaign on defensive solidity, conceding just seven goals in 12 matches, but it was their ruthless attack that made the difference in the second leg. Freiburg killed off any hopes of a Celta fightback with two goals in the space of six minutes in the first half. Matthias Ginter picked out Jordy Makengo's run and he nodded back to Matanovic, who lashed a superb volley into the top corner in the 33rd minute. Suzuki doubled the lead in the 39th minute, playing a one-two with Jan-Niklas Beste before converting the return pass with a composed finish. The Japan midfielder struck again after 51 minutes, netting from close range from 's pass after slalomed through the Celta defence. 's stoppage-time strike was no consolation for out-classed Celta. In Thursday's other quarter-finals, , leading 3-1 on aggregate, host Italian side . Villa boss Unai Emery has won the Europa League four times -- on three occasions with Sevilla and once at -- and also finished as a runner-up in the tournament with . Villa are looking to reach a second European semi-final under Emery after making the last four in the Conference League in 2024. face Porto at the City Ground with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg. Two-time European champions Forest are aiming to appear in their first continental semi-final since the UEFA Cup in 1983-84. They are playing in Europe for the first time since the 1995-96 UEFA Cup. smg/nf

Q&A

How did Freiburg secure their place in the Europa League semi-finals?

Freiburg secured their semi-final spot by defeating Celta Vigo 3-1 in the second leg, completing a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Who were the key players in Freiburg's win against Celta Vigo?

Yuito Suzuki scored two goals, while Igor Matanovic also contributed with a goal in Freiburg's victory over Celta Vigo.

Who will Freiburg face in the Europa League semi-finals?

Freiburg will face either Real Betis or Sporting Braga in the semi-finals, as they were tied 1-1 ahead of their match.

Freiburg sink Celta to clinch first appearance in Europa League semis

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

Judge grants Oklahoma LB Heinecke extra year

Mbappé: diez intentos, tres equipos, nueve entrenadores, 98 partidos, 70 goles...

New York Jets ‘Think Highly’ of Prospect Flying Up Draft Boards

Ex-SMU CB Teddy Knox, the other driver in the Rashee Rice crash, found liable in $2.9 million default judgement

Pacers playing Nuggets in Mexico City on Nov. 7

PFL Belfast ‘Kelly vs. Wilson’ play-by-play, results & round scoring

More from Sports