Hearts face uphill battle after 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz

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·21 July 2026

Hearts face uphill battle after 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz

Hearts face an uphill battle to keep their Champions League hopes alive after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.

Wouter Vrancken's first match in charge started badly as Jon Gorenc Stankovic headed the Austrian side into an early lead. Hearts responded well and created several clear-cut chances before half-time, but Pierre Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kyziridis were both unable to convert.

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The hosrs took complete control after the break. Jeyland Mitchell doubled the advantage from a corner before Luca Weinhandl added a third just minutes later. Jurgen Heil completed the scoring before the hour mark as Hearts' defence struggled throughout the second half.

The Scottish side now need a remarkable comeback at Tynecastle next week to stay in the Champions League, with a place in the Europa League looking the more likely outcome.