Genk, Belgium – Zakaria El Ouahdi continued his impressive form for KRC Genk on Thursday night, scoring a crucial goal in their Europa League clash against SC Freiburg. The 1-0 victory gives Genk a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Germany, but the win was tempered by a late yellow card that will see the Moroccan international suspended for the return match.
The match, played at the Cegeka Arena in Genk, marked the start of a pivotal four-game stretch for the Belgian side. Genk is battling to secure a spot in the Champions League Playoffs in the Jupiler Pro League, with upcoming matches against STVV and Zulte Waregem, alongside the Europa League quarterfinal pursuit against Freiburg. The stakes are high as the club aims to compete at the highest level both domestically, and continentally.
Freiburg had a positive start to the game, but Genk quickly asserted themselves, particularly in the first half. A potential Freiburg goal was ruled out following a VAR review, and Genk’s own attacking pressure began to build. The home side’s dominance culminated in the 24th minute when El Ouahdi found the back of the net.
The goal stemmed from excellent build-up play, initiated by a well-weighted pass from Bryan Heynen. El Ouahdi, capitalizing on the opportunity, unleashed a powerful volley that beat the Freiburg goalkeeper. It was his ninth goal of the season, with five coming in this Europa League campaign, highlighting his growing importance to Genk’s attack.
Following the goal, Genk continued to control the tempo, with Konstantinos Karetsas coming close to doubling their lead. However, Freiburg also had chances, with Yuito Suzuki hitting the woodwork with a deflected shot. Genk goalkeeper Tobias Lawal also faced scrutiny, avoiding a penalty call after a challenge in the box.
After the match, El Ouahdi expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “I am definitely very happy. We had a good performance against a top club from Germany,” he told Play Sports, as reported by various sources. He also noted the positive atmosphere in the locker room at halftime, stating, “The coach didn’t have much to say during the break. That’s always a good sign.”
Suspension Dampens Victory
However, the joy of the victory was quickly overshadowed by the news of El Ouahdi’s suspension for the second leg. The 24-year-aged received a yellow card during the match, triggering an automatic suspension due to accumulated cautions. Remarkably, El Ouahdi was unaware he was on a yellow card suspension prior to the match.
“I didn’t know that myself. I saw a yellow card behind my name before the match, but I thought they were already gone. So, I’m angry with myself,” El Ouahdi lamented. “If I had known, would I have gone into the duel differently? Then I wouldn’t have even touched him.”
The suspension is a significant blow to Genk, as El Ouahdi has become a key player for coach Nicky Hayen. His absence will undoubtedly be felt in the return leg in Freiburg, where Genk will need to defend their narrow lead and potentially score to advance to the quarter-finals.
According to Yahoo Sports, the first leg saw a balanced start, with Freiburg having a chance cleared off the line by Josue Kongolo early on. The game ultimately swung in Genk’s favor thanks to El Ouahdi’s strike.
El Ouahdi’s Rise with Genk
Zakaria El Ouahdi, born December 31, 2001, in Hoboken, Belgium, has quickly established himself as a versatile and impactful player. He currently plays as a right winger or right-back for Genk, and also represents the Morocco national team. Wikipedia details a youth career that included stints at Beerschot VAC, Zulte Waregem, Manchester IFA, K. Berchem Sport, and K. Rupel Boom before his breakthrough with RWD Molenbeek.
He joined RWD Molenbeek in 2021, where he impressed enough to earn a professional contract. He made his professional debut in the Challenger Pro League in August 2021 and quickly became a key contributor, scoring eight goals in 51 appearances before his move to Genk in 2023. Since joining Genk, he has added 11 goals in 81 appearances, demonstrating his consistent goal-scoring threat.
El Ouahdi also recently represented Morocco at the U-23 level, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has since earned his first cap with the senior Morocco national team.
The second leg against Freiburg promises to be a tense affair. Genk will need to overcome not only a determined Freiburg side but also the absence of their key attacker. The match is scheduled for next week in Freiburg, Germany, and will determine which team advances to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Genk will be hoping to replicate their strong first-leg performance, but they will need to find a way to compensate for El Ouahdi’s absence. The team’s ability to adapt and execute their game plan will be crucial in securing a positive result and continuing their Europa League journey.
Fans can follow updates on the Europa League and Genk’s progress on the official UEFA website and through various sports news outlets. The return leg in Freiburg is sure to be a captivating encounter, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
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