Freiburg into Europa League last 16 after extra-time win over Lens

DPA
·2 min read
Freiburg's Roland Sallai celebrates his side's second goal if the game during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg's Roland Sallai celebrates his side's second goal if the game during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Freiburg reached the last 16 of the Europa League after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to claim a 3-2 win against Lens in extra-time in the second leg of the Europa League knock-out round play-off on Wednesday.

Michael Gregoritsch scored the winner in the 99th minute, but only after Roland Sallai completed a dramatic brace to settle the 2-2 draw in the final minutes of regular time.

David Pereira da Costa put Lens ahead in the 28th before Elye Wahi increased their lead shortly before the break. The Germans pulled one back in the 67th thanks to Sallai, who then scored a very late equalizer in stoppage time.

This is the second time Freiburg reach the last 16 of the Europa League. They made their debut last season, but were eliminated by Juventus.

Elsewhere, Milan had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg and made it to the last 16 despite a 3-2 defeat at Rennes. Benfica, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw at Toulouse but were through thanks to their 2-1 home win last week.

The Europa League last 16 draw is on Friday.

Lens' Florian Sotoca (Center L) and Freiburg's Maximilian Eggestein battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Lens' Florian Sotoca (Center L) and Freiburg's Maximilian Eggestein battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg coach Christian Streich reacts from the touchline during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg coach Christian Streich reacts from the touchline during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg players Michael Gregoritsch (L) and Maximilian Eggestein (2nd L) discuss with the Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic (2nd R) during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg players Michael Gregoritsch (L) and Maximilian Eggestein (2nd L) discuss with the Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic (2nd R) during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch (R) and Lens' Abdukodir Khusanov (L) and Jonathan Gradit battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch (R) and Lens' Abdukodir Khusanov (L) and Jonathan Gradit battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg's Roland Sallai (L) and Lens' Florian Sotoca battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Freiburg's Roland Sallai (L) and Lens' Florian Sotoca battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SC Freiburg and RC Lens at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa