Qualification takes an unnecessary amount of effort: Racing Genk only passes Dinamo Zagreb to the Europa League eighth finals after extra time

Genk had itself to blame for the fact that it came to this. First of all, Tobias Lawal. Not for the first time, the Austrian goalie troubled the Limburgers. In the closing seconds of the first half he simply passed into Bakrar’s feet. The Algerian gratefully accepted, shot from his diagonal angle and also saw how Sadick clumsily kicked the ball wide: 0-1. Bad, but not the last time Genk shot themselves in the foot.

Genk had started weakly, seemed to think they were safe with the 3-1 bonus and fell back too far. Dinamo thought it was fine. Goalkeeper Lawal prevented worse with his leg when Vidovic appeared at the far post. Bakrar also appeared there, on a free kick, but the shot went into the side netting. Goda’s shot even hit the crossbar. And when Bakrar slipped through, Lawal was fine, even then.

At Genk, Bibout and Steuckers were given rest, but the injured Karetsas was especially missed. However, before half time there were opportunities to make the return unnecessary. The best chances even. Dinamo goalkeeper Livakovic had some difficulty with a good header from Heymans. Sor was also sent away by Heynen, but shot wildly.

Going into halftime at 0-1 is painful. Lawal’s bungling was quickly corrected. Shortly after half-time, Sor equalized with a hard ball, after an excellent attack: 1-1. A sigh of relief went through the Cegeka Arena, but again Genk committed self-sabotage. Vidovic looked for and got Ito’s leg, the German ref pointed to the spot. Converted by Stojkovic: 1-2. Stupid, again.

The Croats only needed a goal for extra time and that dark cloud continued to hang over Genk. Because it itself spilled with opportunities. And because goalkeeper Livakovic was alert. First with his foot on Mirisola’s shot, then with his outstretched hand when Sor cut through.

Dinamo barely made it to the other side, but when they did, the worst-case scenario occurred. Stojkovic cut to his left and curled the ball into the far corner: 1-3. The final fifteen minutes did not bring relief, but the tank did slowly empty for some.

So extensions. Ito corrected his mistake with some luck, after a through pass from Satllberger. Genk was denied a penalty moments later after a push into the rough by El Ouahdi. Stojkovic did get red after a punch in the face from Smets. With ten, Dinamo offered little resistance. Heymans even made the redeeming 3-3 on the edge of offside.

Genk escapes unscathed, but it took strength. An unnecessary amount, now that the battle for the top six is ​​in full swing. AA Gent hopes to benefit from this on Sunday afternoon.

Genk: Law; El Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Kayembe (62′ Medina); Bangoura (81′ Sattlberger), Heynen, Heymans; Ito (102′ Steuckers), Mirisola (62′ Bibout), Sor (102′ Adedeji-Sternberg)

Dinamo Zagreb: Livakovic; Valincic, Galesic (117′ Zebic), McKenna, Goda (66′ Vinlöf); Stojkovic, Misic (117′ Sunta), Zajc (105′ Soldo); Topic (74′ Lisica), Bakrar, Vidovic (74′ Varela)

Goals: 45+2′ Bakrar 0-1, 51′ Sor (Heynen) 1-1, 57′ Stojkovic (strafschop) 1-2, 75′ Stojkovic (Valincic) 1-3, 100′ Ito (Satllberger) 2-3, 114′ Heymans (Steuckers) 3-3

Yellow cards: 16′ Kayembe, 31′ Galesic, 53′ Heymans, 104′ Zajc, 107′ Misic

Red cards: 105′ Stojkovic

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Dui)