A historic night unfolded in European football on Thursday, as SC Freiburg secured their first-ever berth in the Europa League quarterfinals. The German side overcame a first-leg deficit to emphatically defeat KRC Genk, while VfB Stuttgart’s European journey came to an end. Adding to the German success, FSV Mainz 05 also reached a European quarterfinal for the first time, advancing in the Conference League.
Freiburg Makes History with 5-1 Victory Over Genk
SC Freiburg delivered a dominant performance at home, defeating KRC Genk 5-1 in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie. This victory overturned their 1-0 loss in Belgium the previous week and propelled them into the quarterfinals – a landmark achievement for the club. The win represents the biggest international success in SC Freiburg’s history.
Matthias Ginter opened the scoring for Freiburg in the 19th minute, followed quickly by Igor Matanovic just six minutes later. While Genk briefly threatened with a goal from Matte Smets in the 39th minute, Freiburg responded emphatically after the break. Vincenzo Grifo extended the lead in the 53rd minute, and Yuito Suzuki added another just three minutes later. Maximilian Eggestein sealed the victory with a goal in the 79th minute, completing the 5-1 rout.
Stuttgart’s European Run Ends in Porto
VfB Stuttgart’s Europa League campaign concluded with a 2-0 defeat away to FC Porto. Despite creating numerous chances, Stuttgart were unable to uncover the back of the net and were eliminated from the competition. This marked the end of their hopes for a first European quarterfinal appearance in almost 30 years. The match was further marred by a red card for Nikolas Nartey in the 77th minute.
Porto had won the first leg 2-1 in Stuttgart, and they continued their momentum on home soil. William Gomes gave Porto the lead in the 21st minute, and Victor Froholdt doubled their advantage with a well-struck goal in the 72nd minute. Francesco Farioli’s Porto will now face Nottingham Forest in the next round.
Mainz Reaches Conference League Quarterfinals
FSV Mainz 05 also enjoyed a successful evening, securing their place in the Conference League quarterfinals for the first time in the club’s history. Urs Fischer’s side defeated Sigma Olmütz 2-0 in the second leg, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in the Czech Republic.
The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Mainzer Stadion. Stefan Posch broke the deadlock shortly after halftime, scoring in the 46th minute. Armindo Sieb added a second goal in the 82nd minute to secure the victory. Mainz finished the game with a numerical advantage after Olmütz midfielder Peter Barath received a red card in the 76th minute.
What we have is a significant achievement for Mainz 05, marking their deepest run in a European competition to date. The team’s performance demonstrates their growing ambition and competitiveness on the continental stage.
What’s Next for the German Clubs?
SC Freiburg will now await the draw for the Europa League quarterfinals, eager to continue their historic run. The draw will capture place on Friday, March 20, 2026. VfB Stuttgart will return to Bundesliga action, focusing on their domestic campaign. FSV Mainz 05 will also learn their quarterfinal opponent in the Conference League, hoping to build on their impressive European form.
The success of Freiburg and Mainz highlights the growing strength of German football in European competitions. Their performances provide a boost for the Bundesliga and demonstrate the potential for further success in the future.
