Genk Stun Dinamo Zagreb in Extra Time, Reach UEL Last 16

Genk edge Dinamo

Genk reach Europa League Round of 16 for first time in 9 years, overcoming 10-man Dinamo Zagreb 6-4 on aggregate after thrilling extra time win.

Moments later, Heymans curled just the wrong side of the post from 20 yards, before Dinamo received another lifeline...

Genk made it to the Europa League Round of 16 for the first time in nine years, but it was a nail-biter against 10-man Dinamo Zagreb. The Belgian side won 6-4 on aggregate, with a 3-3 draw after extra time on the night.

Dinamo Zagreb were given a boost when they were awarded a penalty, but Genk's goalkeeper came up big to deny them. The visitors needed a goal to get back into the game, and they almost got one early on through Miha Zajc, whose effort was deflected narrowly wide.

Mounsef Bakrar had a fizzing shot from an awkward angle brush the wrong side of the post, while Bruno Goda thundered an effort against the crossbar from outside the box.

Genk come out on top in a thrilling tie 😅#UEL pic.twitter.com/DGonwstLfI

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 26, 2026

In between those two chances, Daan Heymans saw his flicked header superbly turned around the post at the other end, before Yira Sor blazed over from a central position.

That wayward finishing came back to haunt Genk when Dinamo Zagreb took the lead on the night. But it was a bit of a shocker from opposition goalkeeper Tobias Lawal, who gifted possession to Bakrar inside the area with a horrific pass. Bakrar couldn't believe his luck and tucked home on the stroke of half-time, giving Genk hope for the second half.

Nicky Hayen must have given his side a good talking to during the interval, though, as they were much improved in the second half. Their equaliser came within six minutes as Sor atoned for his earlier miss by brilliantly whipping his shot into the back of the net after being teed up by Bryan Heynen.

Moments later, Heymans curled just the wrong side of the post from 20 yards, before Dinamo received another lifeline as Junya Ito tripped Gabriel Vidovic. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Luka Stojkovic found the bottom corner with the ensuing penalty.

Robin Mirisola had a chance to level things up, but Dominik Livakovic was solid, blocking the shot with his legs and then denying Sor.

Those saves proved crucial as Dinamo Zagreb's Mario Kovacevic's men got a big boost, leveling the tie at 4-4 on aggregate with Stojkovic's stunning 25-yarder that flew into the top corner.

Genk were stunned, but this was familiar territory for a side who had not won a major European knockout game on home soil since 2017.

Things nearly got worse in injury time too, but a tame Cardoso Varela shot was saved to ensure extra time was required to decide the tie, the first ten minutes of which was a non-event.

The Belgian outfit eventually went back in front in the tie, though, when Ito brilliantly timed his run onto Nikolas Sattlberger’s pass and poked the ball in with the help of a deflection off Matteo Perez Vinlof.

Dinamo Zagreb's Stojković got a straight red card after VAR intervened, catching him for slapping Matte Smets in the face - a huge blow for the Croatian side.

Genk made the most of their man advantage, and it paid off with six minutes left when Jarne Steuckers fed Heymans, who converted his fourth UEL goal of the season to make it 3-3 on the night, securing a 6-4 aggregate win.

Genk make it through 🙌#UEL pic.twitter.com/IF7y4Hs9Lh

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 26, 2026