Sturm Graz beat Hearts 4-0 in Champions League qualifying first leg
Sturm Graz scored once before half-time and three times after the break to take a 4-0 advantage over Hearts in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying-round tie on July 21, 2026.
Sturm Graz took firm control of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying-round tie with a 4-0 first-leg victory over Hearts in Graz on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Jon Gorenc Stankovic opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Jeyland Mitchell doubled the Austrian side’s lead five minutes after half-time, before Luca Weinhandl made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute and Jurgen Heil added the fourth six minutes later.
The result leaves Hearts needing a major turnaround in the return leg at Tynecastle on Tuesday, July 28. UEFA’s competition records list the two matches for July 21 and July 28, while Sky Sports’ match report recorded the 4-0 score and the four scorers.
The defeat came in Wouter Vrancken’s first competitive match as Hearts head coach. Hearts created openings in the first half but failed to score, and Sturm Graz pulled away with three goals in nine second-half minutes.
The winner of the tie will advance in Champions League qualifying. Sky Sports reported that the eliminated side is set to move into Europa League qualifying.
