UEFA Europa League Round of 32
Celtic 1 - 4 FT VfB Stuttgart
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
B. El Khannouss (D. Undav) 15'
21' B. Nygren
B. El Khannouss (A. Stiller) 28'
HT
Jeff Chabot 50'
J. Leweling (D. Undav) 57'
62' ↓ P. Bernardo ↑R. Hatate
62' ↓ D. Maeda ↑Yang Hyun-Jun
71' ↓ T. Cvancara ↑K. Iheanacho
↓ J. Leweling ↑C. Fuhrich 71'
↓ B. El Khannouss ↑N. Nartey 71'
71' ↓ B. Nygren ↑L. McCowan
78' ↓ K. Tierney ↑M. Saracchi
↓ E. Demirovic ↑T. Tomas 78'
↓ J. Chabot ↑L. Jaquez 78'
T. Tomas (N. Nartey) 90'
↓ A. Stiller ↑C. Andres 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celtic
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel 
SIEVE
20%
Save %
20%
Save %
4
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
Julian Araujo 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Auston Trusty 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Liam Scales 
MAGNET
93
Activity
93
Activity
87
Passes
6
Duels
Kieran Tierney 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
62%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Callum McGregor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Paulo Bernardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Daizen Maeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Benjamin Nygren 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Sebastian Tounekti
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Tomáš Čvančara 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Viljami Sinisalo 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ross Doohan
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Marcelo Saracchi
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Dane Murray
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Colby Donovan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Anthony Ralston
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luke McCowan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Reo Hatate
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
James Forrest
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junior Adamu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yang Hyun-Jun
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kelechi Iheanacho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
VfB Stuttgart
Goalkeepers
Alexander Nübel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Josha Vagnoman
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
39%
Pass Acc
Finn Jeltsch
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Julian Chabot
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Ramon Hendriks
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Atakan Karazor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Angelo Stiller
MAGNET
79
Activity
79
Activity
75
Passes
4
Duels
Bilal El Khannouss 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
8.5
Rating
Deniz Undav
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
2
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
Jamie Leweling
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Ermedin Demirović
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
BENCH
Fabian Bredlow
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
F. Hellstern
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ameen Al Dakhil
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maximilian Mittelstädt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luca Jaquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lorenz Assignon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chris Führich
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikolas Nartey 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
18
Minutes
6.9
Rating
José María Andrés
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tiago Tomás 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.2
Rating
Badredine Bouanani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/19/2026 | Celtic | 1 - 4 | VfB Stuttgart | UEFA Europa League | Celtic Park |
02/19/2026
Celtic Win
VfB Stuttgart Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Celtic
VfB Stuttgart
Celtic
VfB Stuttgart
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Stuttgart Silence Celtic Park With First-Leg Masterclass
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 74/100. A devastating attacking display from the German side leaves Celtic needing a European miracle in the return fixture.
Opening Act
Early chaos in Glasgow set the tone. Intensity was off the charts as VfB Stuttgart wasted no time silencing the famously raucous Celtic Park crowd. Just 15 minutes in, Bilal El Khannouss capitalised on a slick pass from D. Undav to draw first blood. Yet, Celtic immediately countered that blow. Six minutes later, Benjamin Nygren found the net, temporarily restoring the famous European roar. The Balance of power swung wildly in a dizzying 13-minute spell, culminating in El Khannouss striking again, this time fed by A. Stiller, to grab his brace. The visitors absorbed the pressure perfectly, letting the hosts edge possession (53%) while carving them open on the lightning-fast counter.
The Pivot
Entering the second half with a fragile 2-1 lead, the visitors needed a killer blow to truly tilt the tie. They found it through J. Leweling in the 57th minute, ruthlessly finishing off another Undav creation. The true test of their resolve arrived moments later. Ermedin Demirović thought he had buried the fourth, only for VAR to intervene and cancel the celebrations. Such a setback could have rattled a lesser squad, but Stuttgart maintained their absolute composure. A massive Stakes factor defined this knockout tie, and rather than retreating into a defensive shell, the Bundesliga outfit kept hunting for more away goals.
Resolution
Celtic threw bodies forward in a desperate bid to salvage their first-leg hopes, turning the pitch into a shooting gallery with 27 combined attempts between the sides. However, Stuttgart’s bench delivered the ultimate sucker punch. Substitute N. Nartey perfectly teed up T. Tomas in the 90th minute to cement a 4-1 thrashing. The Upset Factor never materialised for the Scottish champions, who now face an impossible-looking trip to Germany on February 26th. Claiming four crucial away goals essentially puts one Stuttgart foot into the Round of 16, leaving the Hoops to soul-search after a harsh lesson in European ruthlessness.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
Ermedin Demirović had a 60th-minute goal chalked off, though Stuttgart's lethal momentum remained completely unaffected by the decision.
What made Bilal El Khannouss the Man of the Match?
The midfielder was unplayable, netting a brilliant first-half brace to permanently hand Stuttgart the psychological edge in Glasgow.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
Both teams committed to a remarkably open, attacking style, combining for 27 shots and rapid first-half lead changes.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
European Ambitions Collide in Glasgow
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 67/100. The margin for error vanishes as these two sides battle for a crucial first-leg advantage in this knockout showdown.
The Setup
Under the floodlights at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026, Celtic host VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League Round of 32. This opening clash is merely the first chapter, with the pivotal return leg set for Germany on February 26. Stuttgart arrive boasting an imposing Form rating, having secured four wins in their last five continental fixtures. Celtic's recent trajectory has been less consistent, but playing at home elevates their Balance as they look to disrupt the visitors' attacking rhythm. The Stakes are strictly survive and advance; there are no second chances in knockout football once this tie concludes. Both squads feature an impressive array of attacking Stars, promising a high-quality technical encounter where a single moment of brilliance could define the entire tie.
Key Battle
The midfield engine room will dictate the tempo, bringing Reo Hatate and Bilal El Khannouss into direct conflict. Hatate has been the creative heartbeat for the Scottish champions, orchestrating rapid transitions with lethal intent. El Khannouss, meanwhile, offers the elite vision and press resistance that Stuttgart rely on to break down stubborn defensive blocks. Whoever stamps their authority on the center of the park will hand their side the blueprint for a crucial first-leg victory.
Our Prediction
Despite the famously hostile Glasgow atmosphere, the visitors possess the cutting edge required to snatch an away advantage. We expect Stuttgart to weather the early Scottish storm and punish Celtic on the counter, leaving with a narrow 2-1 victory to take back to Germany.