The hope of a dramatic comeback at Balaídos lasted little more than half an hour as Celta Vigo saw their UEFA Europa League journey come to a painful end against a ruthless SC Freiburg side.

Trailing by three goals from the first leg, Celta Vigo came out with urgency and intent, driven by the energy of their home crowd. Yet, despite their early ambition, clear-cut chances remained elusive, with Noah Atubolu rarely tested in the Freiburg goal.

The decisive blow came just before half-time. SC Freiburg struck twice in quick succession to silence the stadium and extinguish any lingering belief. First, Igor Matanović produced a stunning volley to open the scoring, before Suzuki doubled the lead moments later with a clinical finish that left the hosts stunned.

In response, Celta Vigo made a flurry of changes after the break, introducing fresh legs in a desperate attempt to turn the tide. But any hopes of a revival were firmly put to rest when Suzuki struck again to complete his brace, effectively ending the contest.

To their credit, SC Freiburg continued to press forward, showing no signs of complacency. Only the woodwork and several impressive saves from Ionuț Radu prevented the scoreline from becoming even more emphatic for the German side.

Celta Vigo did manage a late consolation through Williot Swedberg, offering a brief moment of relief for the home supporters, but it did little to change the overall narrative.

2025-26, Europa League

Celta - Freiburg 1:3 (0:2)
Goals: Matanovic, 33 (0:1); Suzuki Yu., 39 (0:2); Suzuki Yu., 50 (0:3); Swedberg, 90 (1:3)

Celta: Radu A.; Mingueza; Rueda (El-Abdellaoui, 46); Alonso M.; Rodriguez J.; Moriba (Swedberg, 46); Jutgla; Vecino (Alvarez H., 64); Lago (Carreira, 46); Lopeez F.; Iglesias (Aspas, 46)
Substitution: Carreira (from 46); Swedberg (from 46); Aspas (from 46); El-Abdellaoui (from 46); Alvarez H. (from 64)
Bench: Villar; Aidoo; Fernandez Man.; Núñez Ál.; Ristič M.; Sotelo; Durán
Yellow Cards: Moriba 45; Vecino 49; Aspas 49; Alvarez H. 87

Freiburg: Atubolu; Lienhart (Ogbus, 71); Beste (Irié, 83); Treu; Makengo J.; Ginter; Grifo (Scherhant, 56); Manzambi (Höfler, 71); Suzuki Yu.; Eggestein М.; Matanovic (Höler, 56)
Substitution: Scherhant (from 56); Höler (from 56); Ogbus (from 71); Höfler (from 71); Irié (from 83)
Bench: Müller Fl.; Huth J.; Jung A.; Kübler; Günter; Philipp M.
Yellow Cards: Matanovic 45; Ginter 56