Sturm Graz 4-0 Hearts in Champions League qualifier

On 21 July 2026 Sturm Graz hosted Heart of Midlothian at the Liebenau Stadium in Graz for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second‑qualifying round. Captain Jon Gorenc Stankovic gave the home side an early lead with a header in the fourth minute. After a goalless first half, Sturm broke the deadlock again in the second period: Jeyland Mitchell headed home from a corner at 50 minutes, Luca Weinhandl added the third goal three minutes later, and newcomer Jürgen Heil completed the scoring at 59 minutes. The 4‑0 win secured Sturm a place in the third qualifying round and put them on course for a Europa League group‑stage spot should they progress. Hearts, led by new manager Wouter Vrancken in his competitive debut, were unable to recover from the early deficit and struggled with set‑pieces and finishing. The match was watched by over 15 000 spectators, and police set up a security perimeter around the arena. The result leaves the Scottish side facing a daunting return leg in Edinburgh, while Sturm celebrates a decisive step toward the Champions League’s