Yuito Suzuki added a second goal before half-time, the Japanese playmaker tucking away Niklas Beste's pass from close range to put Die Breisgauer in complete control.
Suzuki struck again soon after the restart, this time firing in from Vincenzo Grifo after Johan Manzambi's initial effort had been cleared off the line.
A combination of the woodwork and Celta goalkeeper Ionuț Radu denied substitutes Derry Scherhant and Lucas Höler, before Noah Atubolu preserved his clean sheet with a strong save to keep out Jones El-Abdellaoui.
Williot Swedberg did score a late consolation for the crestfallen hosts as Freiburg marched into their first European semi-final, where Portugal's Braga await.
As it happened!
1 - 3
(0 - 2)
Vigo
FINAL
Freiburg
Europa League Quarter-final, second leg Quarter-final, second leg Balaídos, Vigo
Vincenzo Grifo on beating Celta Vigo and reaching the semis
"I think that after the 1-0, we kind of took the wind out of their sails. In the locker room, we knew that we’d created an incredibly good situation for ourselves. And then it’s a matter of defending that. We knew we’d get our chances because they’d definitely be taking big risks. And we took full advantage of that - goals two and three were the same story. And that was that. Now the semi-finals are a reality!"
"I think it’s much, much more important to focus on ourselves, to make sure we keep moving forward. Keep that focus going, don’t let anything slip, don’t let up for even a second. It’s also incredibly important to keep pushing on this Sunday. We managed that well twice, at St. Pauli and against Mainz. And now we’ll do the same this Sunday against Heidenheim."
"I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude that we get to experience exactly these moments together. Gratitude, too, that the team was able to prove it again today, that they picked up exactly where they left off last week—that this is anything but a given, but rather very, very impressive."
Julian Schuster's men march into the Europa League semi-finals with a 6-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo, who couldn't handle a dominant Freiburg over two legs. Suzuki's early second half goal deflated the hosts even further, who only really caused Freiburg problems late on after a series of changes.
López rises highest from a corner, flicking his header onto the outside of the far post.
81'
Well cleared
Celta fire a low cross into the box, which Treu nonchalantly flicks away from danger.
77'
Fired over
Swedberg gets in behind down the right-hand side, with the Freiburg backline in pursuit. He aims for the near top corner of the goal with his effort from inside the area, but sends it into the stands instead.
Until the end
Freiburg still aren't giving anything away in these late stages.
Scherhant almost makes an instant impact, forcing Radu into a good save from the right of the box. Höler gets to the rebound first and Radu gets down well to save his low effort too.
Grifo tries to bend a free-kick in from a difficult position on the right-hand side, which goes over the bar.
Suzuki at the double!
Manzambi goes on an incredible run down the right, before rounding the 'keeper and seeing his finish blocked on the line. Grifo picks up the rebound and lays it off to Suzuki, who slots it into the bottom corner.
Freiburg go into the break with a healthy aggregate lead after an assured first half performance. Matanović sparked an otherwise quiet encounter into life with a spectacular volley, before Suzuki added a second just minutes later. Aside from the two goals, both sides have offered very little in front of goal.
Those two goals make it 5-0 on aggregate to Freiburg, who have surely booked their place in the semis now.
Suzuki doubles the lead!
He plays a one-two with Beste, receiving the return pass just outside the six-yard box, where he side-foots the ball into the far corner with the help of a deflection.
A deep free-kick taken by Ginter is nodded back toward the striker by Makengo. Matanović then volleys it first time from distance into the top corner of the net, incredible finish!
The hosts make four changes from the side that lost in Germany. Swedberg, Sotelo, Vilarino and Aidoo are replaced by López Vecino (pictured), Rueda and Lago.
Only two Spanish players have donned Freiburg's colours. Defender Marc Torrejón (pictured) made 55 appearances for them between 2014-2017, and striker Ezequiel Calvente who appeared just twice in his one-year stay at the club.
Their 3-0 first-leg victory over Celta Vigo was their first win against Spanish opposition, having only played against one other team from the country beforehand. They faced Sevilla in the 2013/14 Europa League campaign, falling to defeat twice in the group stage.
"It won't be easy tomorrow. The atmosphere in the stadium will be electric, and the team will be highly motivated. We have to deliver a top performance here tomorrow."
"We've taken an important first step, but nothing more than that. We saw yesterday how quickly things can change. In the quarter-finals, you're up against quality. The lads are prepared for that. It can't be any less than in the first leg. The trick is to hit the reset button after wins like these."
"We're going to give everything we've got. We feel the support and encouragement from the fans and the club, the players sense it. It's a historic night and we have to enjoy it."
Just a few weeks ago, Vincenzo Grifo became Freiburg's leading goalscorer with his 106th goal, with his 107th strike being the Bundesliga club's opening goal in last weekend's win against Thursday's opponents. Now, the 33-year-old is placed fourth among Freiburg's all-time appearance leaders after making his 350th appearance against Mainz at the weekend.
Right-back Javi Rueda (pictured), who missed out on the first leg whilst serving a one-game suspension will be back and available for selection on Thursday, while young midfielder Miguel Román continues to carry the sole injury issue at the start of the week with a long-term foot problem.
Die Breisgauer's list of absentees is largely unchanged from last week's first leg, with both Max Rosenfelder and Patrick Osterhage nursing long-term hamstring and knee injuries, respectively. There were concerns over Johan Manzambi's (pictured) availability, given that the midfielder had to be helped off the pitch with a heavily bandaged knee after receiving a heavy challenge in stoppage time against Mainz, but the club has confirmed that nothing in the knee was torn, and that he'd just received a heavy knock.
Freiburg are aiming to become the 18th German club to reach the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League semi‑finals. They have lost only two of their last 11 UEFA matches, winning seven and drawing two.
Claudio Giráldez's team lost 3-0 at home to Real Oviedo in Spain's top flight on Sunday but remain sixth in the table, two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis and two above Real Sociedad in seventh.
Last week's first-leg defeat ended Celta's six-game unbeaten run in the Europa League (W4 D2). This is their fifth quarter‑final appearance in the competition but their first since 2016/17, when they defeated Belgian club Genk 4-3 on aggregate to set up a semi-final with eventual tournament winners Manchester United. They have their work cut out to reach the last four this term.
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0:58
Watch: Mainz 0-1 Freiburg - highlights
Freiburg prepared for this clash with a narrow win over fellow European participants Mainz, with Lucas Höler scoring the game's only goal.
Schuster: 'We have to play with the same sharpness'
Speaking after Freiburg's first leg win over Celta Vigo, Schuster warned of complacency: "It was really good that we were able to score the goals, but at the end of the day, this was just the first leg. You've seen before that with wins like this, sometimes you lose a bit of focus in the second leg. We have to play with the same sharpness again."
Julian Schuster's side are in control of the encounter, having raced into a 3-0 lead in the first leg. Vincenzo Grifo, Niklas Beste and Matthias Ginter were the goalscorers on what was a memorable night for the Black Forest side.
Follow all of the build-up and action as Freiburg play Celta Vigo in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final.
First-leg report
Freiburg 3-0 Celta Vigo Goals:1-0 Grifo 10' (assist: Manzambi), 2-0 Beste 32' (assist: Matanović), 3-0 Ginter 78' (assist: Beste)
Freiburg made the perfect start to their maiden European quarter-final appearance as captain Vincenzo Grifo curled a wonderful shot into the far corner after just 10 minutes.
Jan-Niklas Beste made it 2–0 before the break, finishing off a sweeping team move. Veteran defender Matthias Ginter put the seal on the win in the second half after heading home from a neatly worked corner routine.
Freiburg were great value for their win, with Celta Vigo’s one and only big chance not falling until the 87th minute.
The job isn’t done for Julian Schuster’s men, who have to go to Spain for the second leg on 16 April. However, they have given themselves a great chance of reaching the semi-finals after a near-faultless display at Europa-Park Stadion.
As it happened!
3 - 0
(2 - 0)
Freiburg
FINAL
Vigo
Europa League Quarter-finals, first leg Quarter-finals, first leg Europa-Park Stadion
Full-time
Full-time: Freiburg 3-0 Celta Vigo
A dream European evening for Freiburg, who secured a perfect starting position for the second leg with their 3-0 first-leg victory. The hosts were dominant on the night, sealing the win thanks to goals from Grifo, Beste, and Ginter. They now have a first European semi-final firmly within their sights.
At the other end of the pitch, Höler races through on goal after a quick Freiburg counter. He shoots from just inside the Celta box, but Radu gets just enough on the ball to divert it into the side netting.
85'
What a miss!
Lopez finds himself free inside the Freiburg six-yard box after a cross from the left side. He takes the shot first time on the volley, but fires half a yard wide of Atubolu's right post. That was a let-off for the Bundesliga side.
80'
Freiburg aren't done yet...
Schuster's side are keeping their foot on the gas here. Scherhant's free-kick from the right is cleared by Celta, but not convincingly.
Ginter makes it three!
Incredible! Matanović earns a corner kick through persistent pressure. From the resulting Scherhant cross, Ginter rises highest and heads the ball in from the left edge of the six-yard box. What a night this is turning into for the home fans.
It's the best chance the visitors have mustered up - which says a lot. The Celta striker unleashes a powerful shot from just outside the Freiburg box, but the ball whizzes about half a metre over Atubolu's crossbar.
67'
One-sided tie so far
Atubolu has not been forced into action yet in the Freiburg goal.
Shots on goal
5
0
67'
Suzuki can't keep his balance
It's another well-worked attacking move from Freiburg. The ball eventually comes to Suzuki with room to run into, but he loses his footing slightly and can no longer control the ball. It's a shame from the home side's perspective, as they really should have scored a third goal by now.
63'
Vecino comes on for Celta
The midfielder is on for the final 30 minutes, replacing Sotelo. There is still no sign of captain Aspas just yet...
Treu was bleeding from the head, but thankfully, both men look to have recovered and should now be able to continue playing.
57'
Clash of heads
There is a painful coming together between Jutglá and Treu inside Freiburg box, as both were contesting for the ball in the air. They are currently receiving treatment on the pitch.
53'
Direct play from Makengo
The left-back is bombing forward again looking to make inroads. He gets the better of Carreira and reaches the byline, but his attempted pull-back is well blocked
50'
Freiburg reassert control
The second half begins much more calmly than the first, but Freiburg continue to dominate proceedings.
The ball is rolling again for the second half. Rather unsurprisingly, Celta have made two changes...
Kick-off!
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0:47
Grifo's Bundesliga goals and assists in 25/26
The veteran winger can add tonight's strike to his impressive catalogue of goals this season.
Half-time: Freiburg 2-0 Celta Vigo
I don't think even the most optimistic of Freiburg fans will have seen that half coming. The hosts were dominant from start to finish, and frankly, could have notched three or four goals to be well out of sight. Grifo's opener was all about individual brilliance, while Beste's goal showcased teamwork at its finest. Manzambi, who has been the best player on the pitch so far, hit the post not long after the second goal to underline the disparity between the two sides. Celta, by contrast, have had just one shot to Freiburg's eight.
The youngster initially struggles near his own penalty area but skilfully saves the ball. Freiburg then move the ball forward, and in the end, Manzambi even gets a shot off, but it's blocked. He has been everywhere so far.
38'
Misplaced Atubolu pass
Atubolu has a small moment after putting Treu in trouble with a misplaced pass. In the end, it only results in a throw-in, which also comes to nothing.
34'
Manzambi rattles the post!
Freiburg are playing with perfect cohesion here. The next beautiful combination feeds Manzambi, who blasts the ball against the right-hand post from a difficult angle.
31'
Freiburg double their lead!
What a move this is! It all comes from Treu's persistence, who flicks the ball on to Matanović inside the Celta box. He gets to the byline down the right channel, and drills a cross into the six-yard area, where Beste is waiting to tap the ball in. The hosts have been sensational so far tonight.
Manzambi has the chance to fire a dangerous ball to the Celta penalty area. His effort doesn't trouble the Celta backline, however.
25'
Makengo on the charge
Freiburg's counter-pressing is proving to be very effective, as the visitors can barely get across the halfway line at the minute. The latest Freiburg attack comes courtesy of left-back Makengo, but he is outpaced.
20'
Manzambi sharp so far
The midfielder has been causing Celta all sorts of problems with his movement. Ostensibly playing as a defensive midfielder, he keeps popping up on the left to assist with Freiburg's impressive build-up play.
16'
Ginter to the rescue
Mingueza drifts out to the left wing and whips a ball into the Freiburg box. In the end, Ginter it able to clear it ahead of Iglesias.
16'
Celta respond
For the first time tonight, Celta are retaining possession and looking to make things happen in the final third. Freiburg look very organised for the time being.
13'
Freiburg dominant
Celta have barely had a touch in Freiburg's half so far. Schuster's men are hogging the ball, and look dangerous every time they advance forward.
What a hit!
That was wonderful from Grifo! The captain receives the ball at the edge of the Celta box and curls it perfectly into the bottom right corner. It's a dream start from the home side, who have been well on top so far.
It's been all Freiburg early on. Manzambi plays a clever through ball down the left channel for Suzuki, who checks back onto his right foot, and flashes a shot across the Celta six-yard box. However, it evades everyone and goes out for a goal-kick. These are encouraging early signs for Schuster...
3'
First shot for the hosts
Freiburg have started brilliantly, dominating possession in the opening minutes. Eggestein, back in the starting XI after suspension, has the first shot from range, but it's a simple take for the Celta stopper.
1'
We're underway!
Here we go then. Freiburg get the game going in their all-red kit, while Celta are in blue and white.
Kick-off!
More on that Celta Vigo side
Celta boss Giráldez has made two changes from the side that beat Valencia 3-2 last weekend. Swedberg and Iglesias replace Álvarez and Dúran in the starting line-up, while club captain Iago Aspas returns to the bench after a spell on the sidelines.
Schuster has made three changes from the side that lost against Bayern Munich last weekend. Makengo and Grifo replace Günter and Scherhant in the first eleven, with Matanović leading the line ahead of Höler.
No nation has had more teams make the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup/Europa League than Germany. Freiburg are the 22nd German side to make this stage of the competition.
Matanović enjoyed Höler's performance: "I have to congratulate my fellow striker for his very intense performance, and he deserved a goal. I was really pleased for him."
Lukas Höler started - and scored - against Bayern at the weekend as Matanović was rested. It was also the experienced forward's 300th competitive appearance for Freiburg - he's only the sixth player to achieve the mark for the Black Forest club.
"They have been more aggressive in recent games, they went man-to-man against Bayern," explained Celta coach Claudio Giráldez in his analysis of Freiburg. "It's German football. We expect more something like that than something conservative. They are solid, don't concede many, and are good at home - they've won all their European home games."
"Celta's biggest strength is their flexibility. In terms of their approach, they can do anything. We're not resting on our laurels now that we've achieved something historic. We're motivated to go further and beat Celta."
Should the Bundesliga club get past Celta Vigo, they will face either Braga or Real Betis in the semi-final. Possible final opponents include Nottingham Forest, Bologna, Aston Villa and Porto - who knocked out Stuttgart in the last round.
The ever-dependable Vincenzo Grifo was on the scoresheet in Freiburg's thumping 5-1 second-leg win over Genk in the previous round. His third goal in the current UEFA Europa League makes him his club's top scorer.
Freiburg have conceded the joint fewest goals in this season's UEFA Europa League (six), while Celta Vigo have scored the joint most in the competition (21).
Right-back Javi Rueda (pictured), who scored the opening goal of Celta's crucial 2-0 win in Lyon in the last round, is suspended for Thursday night's clash while young midfielder Miguel Román carried the sole injury issue at the start of the week with a long-term foot problem.
Jordy Makengo and Patrick Osterhage were added to Freiburg's injury list before the defeat against Bayern Munich on Saturday, while striker Lucas Höler came off with a thigh complaint. On the other hand, the club's top scorer in the Bundesliga, Igor Matanović (pictured), is likely to be ready to start against Celta Vigo after being rested following his travel to the USA with Croatia during the international break.
The Spanish outfit fought back from a goal down to secure a 3-2 win in Valencia with Ilaix Moriba, Fer López and Williot Swedberg finding the net to extend Vigo's unbeaten run away from home to eight games (four wins, four draws) across all competitions.
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1:07
Freiburg 2-3 Bayern Munich - highlights
Johan Manzambi and Lucas Höler fired Freiburg into a 2-0 lead against Germany's record champions, who responded late on with a brace from Tom Bischof before Lennart Karl's late stoppage-time winner inflicted an 11th Bundesliga defeat of the season on the Black Forest club.
Room for improvement
Celta have lost their last three European games against German opposition, including a 2-1 reverse at VfB Stuttgart in this season's Europa League league phase. They triumphed 2-1 on aggregate against VfB in the fourth round of the 2000/01 UEFA Cup but were no match for Werder Bremen in 2006/07, losing 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16 of the competition.
This is the first-ever meeting between Freiburg and Celta in UEFA competition. The Black Forest club's
only previous encounters with Spanish opposition came back in 2013/14, when they were twice beaten 2-0 by Sevilla in the Europa League group stage.
Celta are unbeaten in their last six Europa League matches (W4 D2). This is their fifth quarter‑final appearance in the competition but their first since 2016/17, when they defeated Belgian club Genk 4-3 on aggregate to set up a semi-final with eventual tournament winners Manchester United.
European quarter‑final debutants Freiburg have lost only two of their last ten UEFA matches, winning six and drawing the other two. Victory over Celta would be their tenth consecutive continental win in front of their own supporters.
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg between Freiburg and Celta Vigo.
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