KRC Genk against Dinamo Zagreb, Thursday February 26 at 9:00 PM
UEFA Europa League – matchday 1 – 19/02/26 – 18:45
| time | icon | player | homeTime | homeIcon | homePlayer | score | awayPlayer | awayIcon | awayTime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| goal by Bryan Heynen after 15′, 0 – 1 | |||||||||
| goal by Zakaria El Ouahdi after 21′, 0 – 2 | |||||||||
| goal door Dion Beljo at 44′, 1 – 2 | |||||||||
| goal by Zakaria El Ouahdi after 90′, 1 – 3 |
An extra boost in the advance. Racing Genk has also been able to indulge itself once again in Europe. After a flying start – with 2 goals after just 20 minutes – clear decompression seemed to make it exciting against Dinamo Zagreb, but in the end El Ouahdi still had the last word. An important step towards the 1/8th finals.
KRC Genk could not have imagined a better scenario in the soaking wet Maksimir Stadium.
After a short scanning phase, captain Bryan Heynen broke the game open with a steely header on a corner kick from Karetsas: 0-1 after 10 minutes.
Dinamo was upset, Racing Genk were whirling and before half way through the first half they doubled their lead: Karetsas painted the ball behind the defense, via Bibout it ended up with Zakaria El Ouahdi, who stayed cool and finished over the corner.
The Limburgers cut through the heart of the home team very easily and seemed to be on their way to a carefree evening.
Yet Hayen’s men allowed Dinamo to gradually recover. Hoxha created a threat on the left, Kayembe had to intervene several times and Zajc sent a warning over goal.
Genk was pushed back and goalkeeper Lawal had to do everything he could to respond to an attempt by top scorer Beljo.
Genk seemed to escape a goal before half-time, but what was in the air eventually became reality. Topic was able to easily push through on the right and laid it ready for Beljo, who tapped in from close range. His fifth European goal for Dinamo Zagreb. The good news for Racing Genk is that the yellow-suspended striker will miss the return match.
But it was definitely a knock at an unpleasant moment – just before half-time – for Genk.
Hairdressing El Ouahdi
After the break, Genk had to survive above all. Dinamo Zagreb increased the pressure with a stream of crosses and stationary phases. But the home team was no longer able to create really big opportunities. Partly because the Genk defense held out with gusto.
In the final phase, the Limburgers were given some breathing space again. And that led to the icing on the cake. A flash of Karetsas was a harbinger. A hood from El Ouahdi is the reason. The Moroccan from Genk then calmly recorded the 1-3 final score and crowned himself the Genk hero in Zagreb with two goals.
The “renewed” Racing Genk under Hayen has now also given itself a new confidence boost in Europe. It returns to the Cegeka Arena with a comfortable bonus. This can’t go wrong anymore, right?
Related:
END: Dinamo Zagreb 1-3 Racing Genk
Genk takes a giant step towards the eighth finals in Zagreb! After a difficult second half, the home team searched for the equalizer for a long time, but without great goal chances, scoring was of course not possible. On the other side there was another ultimate goal, as Zakaria El Ouahdi provided the final blow in the final phase. His second of the evening – via a Croatian leg over Livakovic – set the final score at 1-3 and gives the Limburgers a luxury position for the second leg. A mature European evening, crowned with a icing on the cake.
El Ouadhi scores an important third goal in the end: 1-3
An extra 3 minutes will be added.
Icing on the cake: 1-3
The ugly second half was brightened up with a goal. And more importantly: not on the Croatian side, but on the Genk side! Zakaria El Ouahdi breaks free again and lifts the ball via the leg of a Zagreb defender over the outstretched leg of Livakovic!
This shouldn’t go wrong for Racing Genk, even in the second leg, right?
Flash of Kos
Finally another Genk flash. From Kos Karetsas, of course! The most promising Greek footballer looks for the bottom right corner with a bouncing shot. Livakovic dives in the right direction and grabs the ball, but it takes two times to do so.
Many new names on the field, but they do not immediately change the game. Only Varela, a 17-year-old talent from Dinamo Zagreb, looks for a colleague with a turning cross. He finds no one. Lawal hesitates and lets the ball fly dangerously past.
Nod from Ito
Dinamo Zagreb’s defense seems to forget the Japanese for a moment. He is left all alone in the second zone and decides to head on the change of side, while he would have had plenty of time to receive and fire. Heading is not Ito’s strong suit, Livakovic catches.
Dinamo Zagreb keeps the pressure on. Hoxha’s cross is sent into a corner by El Ouahdi. It is dangerous, but Lawal’s fists box that colossus away.
Dinamo Zagreb insists, it is still work for Genk to hold on to the lead.
Peter Vandenbempt on Radio 1
