Europa League – Tielemans scores as Aston Villa 3-0 Freiburg to win the title.

The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League final was held at Besiktas Stadium, where Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0 to claim the championship title, thanks to goals from Tielemans, Buendia, and Morgan Rodgers.

Freiburg started the match aggressively, with Lucas Kübler heading the ball across goal, but Igor Matanovic's header went wide. In the 3rd minute, Aston Villa striker Watkins passed the ball to Morgan Rodgers, who then fired a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but it was saved by Freiburg goalkeeper Artubolu.

In the 5th minute, McGinn was brought down by Freiburg defender Philippe Tru as he received the ball, and the referee showed Tru a yellow card. In the 10th minute, Aston Villa continued their attack, with Victor Lindelof playing a through ball to Morgan Rodgers outside the penalty area, who took a long-range shot, but the ball went wide of the post.

In the 17th minute, Freiburg's free kick was cleared, and Nicolas Hefler's volley in the penalty area went wide. In the 21st minute, Matti Cash stepped on Vincenzo Grifo's foot while clearing the ball and was therefore shown a yellow card by the referee.

In the 34th minute, Igor Matanovic passed the ball across the box, and Mansamba received it before unleashing a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, which Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez easily saved. In the 37th minute, McGinn received a pass from Buendia and shot, but his effort was blocked by an opposing player.

In the 41st minute, Aston Villa took a corner kick, Morgan Rodgers chipped the ball into the penalty area, and Tielemans volleyed it into the net, giving Aston Villa a 1-0 lead. In first-half stoppage time, McGinn passed the ball across the box, and Buendia, positioned at the edge of the penalty area, received it and fired a long-range shot into the net, extending Aston Villa's lead over Freiburg to 2-0.

In the 50th minute of the second half, Matti Cash orchestrated an attack, and Buendia received the ball and shot, but Freiburg goalkeeper Artubolu made the save. In the 54th minute, Tielemans took a free kick, and Watkins volleyed, but the shot went wide.

In the 58th minute, Buendia dealt with the defense in the penalty area and crossed the ball, allowing Morgan Rodgers to slide in and score, extending Aston Villa's lead to 3-0. In the 66th minute, Aston Villa substituted Amadou Onana for Victor Lindelof.

In the 70th minute, McGinn took a corner kick, and Amadou Onana headed the ball from close range, but it hit the post. In the 75th minute, Tielemans played a through ball to Buendia, whose low shot hit the side netting.

In the 79th minute, Aston Villa attacked again. McGinn received the ball and shot, but it was blocked by Freiburg goalkeeper Artuboru. In the 84th minute, Freiburg tried a counter-attack. Mansambi headed the ball in the penalty area, but it was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

In the end, Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0 and successfully lifted the trophy.

Image source: Internet