In the 92nd minute, when the tie was slipping away from Freiburg, their push materialized in a double from Roland Sallai that lifted his team off the canvas after a two-goal deficit, to end up signing a feat with their comeback against Lens and sign the pass to the quarterfinals of the Europa League with the third goal in extra time.
The equality that reigned in the goalless draw in the first leg disappeared due to an error by goalkeeper Atubolu in the 28th minute. His poor start and worse clearance, with a fist, left the ball open to Pereira da Costa to put Lens ahead.
Harshly punished, Freiburg, who abused long movement and direct play, hit the post after a lateral foul by Sallai that rebounded off Medina and in the second minute of added time in the first half, the second was conceded in a great definition of Elye Wahi, hitting the ball with quality as it exited the goalkeeper.
With everything lost, Freiburg overturned and Lens speculated excessively. Nothing stopped the German team in its momentum. Not even a clear penalty not called on Rohk, Kubler’s whiplash that caressed the crossbar. He had forgiven his rival on the counterattack when Sallai revived him taking advantage of a loose ball in the 67th minute.
Lens held off as much as his goalkeeper could, with two great reflex saves from Samba. He again forgave Lens on occasions from Fulgini and a one-on-one from Guilavogui, when the punishment came in the 92nd minute. Once again Sallai put the ball into the corner after several rebounds.
Freiburg had achieved what seemed impossible, they were even able to avoid extra time at the last breath when Gregoritsch forgave a header for the third, only at the far post. He retaliated in the 99th minute of extra time on a team that took advantage of the long ball and its aerial potential. Two duels won for extensions, the cutback and the goal of a worthy comeback.