The VfB Stuttgart began its 2026/27 Champions League season in style, securing a 3-1 victory over Viking Stavanger. Ermedin Demirovic was the standout performer of the evening, scoring all three goals for the Swabians. Stuttgart took the lead early in the 20th minute when Demirovic steered a low pass from Stiller into the net with his outside foot inside the penalty box.
Viking Stavanger managed to equalize shortly after, in the 22nd minute. Zlatko Tripic scored after receiving a pass from Björdal, driving the ball into the bottom right corner. Undeterred by the equalizer, Stuttgart regained the lead in the 26th minute. Once again, Demirovic netted, this time connecting with the ball, which had been chipped off the crossbar, after receiving a pass from Undav. He wrapped up his hat-trick in the 32nd minute, finishing from just outside the box after controlling a semi-high pass from Undav and striking from eleven meters out.
The second half saw Stuttgart maintain control of the match, while Viking Stavanger struggled to shorten the deficit. Despite several scoring opportunities for both sides, the final score remained 3-1.
