Freiburg moved close to a first major European semi-final after a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo in the Europa League quarter-final first leg. The Bundesliga side controlled long spells at Europa-Park Stadion and built a strong advantage before the return meeting in Spain.

Captain Vincenzo Grifo set the tone early. Johan Manzambi slipped a neat pass to the edge of the area after 10 minutes. Grifo bent a precise shot around Ionut Radu into the far corner, giving Freiburg an ideal start and lifting the home crowd.

The second goal arrived before half-time and deepened Celta Vigo’s problems. Freiburg broke down the left and Igor Matanovic found space in the box. Matanovic rolled the ball across goal for Niklas Beste, who finished from close range inside the six-yard area.

Celta Vigo tried to respond after falling 2-0 behind but created very little clear danger. The Galician club ended the match without a single effort on target. Their Europa League ambitions for 2025-26 now depend on a major turnaround in the second leg.

Freiburg’s defence provided a solid base for their attacking display. Celta failed to register a shot on goal, their first Europa League match without an attempt on target since at least 2007. Freiburg have now recorded five clean sheets in 11 Europa League games this season.

Only Aston Villa, with six, and Sporting Braga, with seven, have more Europa League clean sheets in 2025-26. Freiburg also led the attacking data on the night, generating 1.56 expected goals from 13 shots, while Celta Vigo managed 0.58 xG from only four attempts.

Manzambi almost added another before the interval after a through ball from Yuito Suzuki. The forward hit the outside of the post from a narrow angle. Freiburg eventually found a third in the 78th minute when Matthias Ginter rose to head in Beste’s corner beyond Sergio Carreira on the line.

Freiburg’s dominance was reflected in the reaction around the competition.

With a three-goal cushion, Freiburg head into the second leg with confidence, while Celta Vigo face a difficult task keeping their European title hopes alive.