KRC Genk have reached the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 for the first time in nine years, narrowly overcoming a stubborn 10-man Dinamo Zagreb with a 6-4 aggregate triumph after a 3-3 draw following extra time.
Facing a 3-1 deficit from the first leg, Genk needed a fast start. Miha Zajc came close to giving the hosts an early boost, but his shot was deflected wide.
Mounsef Bakrar followed with a powerful effort from an awkward angle that clipped the post, while Bruno Goda’s thunderous strike from distance rattled the crossbar.
At the other end, Daan Heymans’ flicked header was brilliantly kept out, and Yira Sor missed a central chance, hinting at a night of costly misses.
Genk’s breakthrough came just before half-time, thanks to a calamitous error by Dinamo goalkeeper Tobias Lawal.
The keeper gifted possession to Bakrar inside the box, and the forward didn’t hesitate, slotting home to reignite hope for the Belgian side.
Dinamo emerged from the interval revitalized. Within six minutes, Sor redeemed himself, expertly finishing a cross from Bryan Heynen to level the match.
Shortly after, a penalty was awarded when Junya Ito was fouled by Gabriel Vidovic, and Luka Stojkovic calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. Dinamo had chances to turn the tie around, with Robin Mirisola’s low strike and Sor’s efforts denied by Dominik Livakovic.
Despite being under pressure, Dinamo struck a stunning 25-yard equalizer from Stojkovic to make it 4-4 on aggregate, bringing Genk’s hopes to a nail-biting climax.
Extra time was required, the first ten minutes largely uneventful, until Genk regained the lead. Ito timed his run perfectly to meet Nikolas Sattlberger’s pass, poking the ball in with a slight deflection off Matteo Pérez Vinlöf.
The situation worsened for Dinamo when VAR intervened to show Stojković a straight red for slapping Matte Smets. Genk pressed their numerical advantage, but Aaron Bibout’s effort was saved.
Finally, with six minutes remaining, Jarne Steuckers drove forward and set up Heymans, who converted to seal the 3-3 draw and Genk’s passage to the next round.
