UEFA Europa League Round of 16
FC Porto 2 - 0 FT VfB Stuttgart
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
21' William Gomes (B. Sainz)
23' Zaidu Sanusi
25' Rodrigo Mora
HT
46' ↓ R. Mora ↑V. Froholdt
58' ↓ Zaidu ↑J. Kiwior
58' ↓ William Gomes ↑Pepê
↓ M. Mittelstadt ↑T. Tomas 61'
↓ A. Karazor ↑N. Nartey 62'
Luca Jaquez 63'
66' ↓ B. Sainz ↑M. Fernandes
72' V. Froholdt
73' ↓ S. Fofana ↑A. Varela
Nikolas Nartey 76'
Nikolas Nartey 77'
Nikolas Nartey 77'
↓ D. Undav ↑B. Bouanani 78'
↓ C. Fuhrich ↑L. Assignon 78'
↓ A. Stiller ↑C. Andres 79'
Lorenz Assignon 89'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
FC Porto
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa 
OCTOPUS
6
Saves
6
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Alberto Costa 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
70%
Duel Win %
Thiago Silva 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jan Bednarek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Zaidu Sanusi 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Seko Fofana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Pablo Rosario
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rodrigo Mora
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
William Gomes 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Terem Moffi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Borja Sainz 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
9%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Cláudio Ramos 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
João Costa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jakub Kiwior
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martim Fernandes
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Dominik Prpić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Francisco Moura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Victor Froholdt 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
45
Minutes
7.7
Rating
Alan Varela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabri Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pepê
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Deniz Gül
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonçalo Sousa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
VfB Stuttgart
Goalkeepers
Alexander Nübel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Luca Jaquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jeff Chabot
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ramon Hendriks 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Midfielders
Maximilian Mittelstädt
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
17%
Pass Acc
Atakan Karazor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Angelo Stiller 
MAGNET
78
Activity
78
Activity
70
Passes
8
Duels
Chris Führich
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Forwards
Bilal El Khannouss
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
42%
Pass Acc
Ermedin Demirović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Deniz Undav
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Fabian Bredlow
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Florian Hellstern
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Lorenz Assignon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ameen Al-Dakhil
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Josha Vagnoman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Finn Jeltsch
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikolas Nartey 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
2
Fouls
5.2
Rating
Chema Andrés
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mirza Ćatović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tiago Tomás
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Badredine Bouanani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/12/2026 | VfB Stuttgart | 1 - 2 | FC Porto | UEFA Europa League | MHP Arena |
03/12/2026
FC Porto Win
VfB Stuttgart Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Porto's Clinical Edge Dismantles Stuttgart's European Dream
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 64/100. A masterclass in absorbing pressure and striking on the counter sees the Portuguese side comfortably secure their quarter-final ticket.
The Opening Act
Stuttgart arrived in Portugal needing to wipe out a 2-1 aggregate deficit from the first leg, and they instantly imposed their will on the contest. The visitors controlled the tempo, eventually hoarding 64% of the ball, while pushing the hosts deep into their own territory. A relentless wave of 11 corners showcased their attacking intent. However, the Stakes in knockout football demand ruthlessness, and FC Porto delivered exactly that. Absorbing the early pressure, the hosts struck with devastating efficiency against the run of play. In the 21st minute, B. Sainz carved open the high defensive line, perfectly setting up William Gomes for the opening strike. Suddenly, VfB Stuttgart found themselves trailing 3-1 overall, their early optimism shattered by a single, surgical counter-attack.
The Pivot
Knowing they now required a miracle to salvage their Europa League campaign, the German outfit cranked the Intensity to suffocating levels. They bombarded the penalty area, launching 20 total shots and creating 13 opportunities from inside the box. But standing between Stuttgart and a lifeline was the imposing figure of Diogo Costa. The Portuguese international produced a flawless goalkeeping display, registering six phenomenal saves to completely neutralize the mounting pressure. Frustration crept into the visiting ranks as their best efforts were repeatedly thwarted. The decisive blow then arrived from the dugout. Managerial foresight saw V. Froholdt introduced at the interval, and the super-sub repaid that faith in the 72nd minute. Capitalizing on another rapid transition, he finished coolly to double the lead on the night, sealing Stuttgart’s fate entirely.
Resolution
At 4-1 on aggregate, the remaining minutes transformed into a bitter pill for the visitors. The Balance of power shifted from tactical chess to mere damage limitation for Stuttgart, but their discipline totally fractured. Nikolas Nartey let his frustrations boil over, receiving a straight red card in the 77th minute following a poor foul. Reduced to ten men, the away side’s resistance crumbled completely. At the back, Alberto Costa commanded the defensive line with absolute authority, ensuring the hosts preserved a hard-fought clean sheet despite the shot volume they faced. Porto advance to the quarter-finals radiating tactical maturity, having proved they can suffer without breaking. For Stuttgart, a promising European run ends abruptly, leaving them to refocus on their domestic league ambitions.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Nikolas Nartey impact the match?
At 2-0 down, Nartey's 77th-minute dismissal killed any faint hopes of a Stuttgart comeback, forcing the ten-man visitors into pure damage limitation.
What made Diogo Costa the Man of the Match?
Facing a barrage of 20 shots, Costa produced six critical saves to extinguish Stuttgart's momentum and preserve a vital clean sheet under heavy pressure.
What does this mean for FC Porto's season?
Advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals sustains their momentum, proving their counter-attacking tactical setup can dismantle possession-heavy European rivals on the biggest stage.
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.
Quarter-Final Dreams on the Line in Porto
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 93/100. Holding a precious 2-1 aggregate lead, Porto look to ruthlessly extinguish Stuttgart's European hopes on home soil.
The Setup
FC Porto hold all the cards after their crucial 2-1 victory in Germany. With first-leg goals from Rodrigo Mora and T. Moffi cancelling out Deniz Undav's strike, the Stakes are peaking for this definitive return fixture. The Portuguese side boast a flawless Form rating at home, having won their last four fixtures on their own turf to build a formidable fortress. VfB Stuttgart must throw caution to the wind to salvage this tie, but our Balance analysis suggests this is an incredibly tight affair where any structural vulnerability will be instantly punished.
Key Battle
Our Stars metric highlights a fascinating duel between two in-form playmakers capable of settling the tie. Rodrigo Mora has been pulling the strings for the hosts, bagging two goals and an assist in his last five outings. He will look to outshine Stuttgart's Deniz Undav, who leads his side's charge with three assists and two goals in his last three matches. If Undav finds pockets of space between the lines, Stuttgart have a genuine lifeline.
Our Prediction
Expect VfB Stuttgart to push high early, desperate to overturn the aggregate deficit. However, Porto's home dominance and slick counter-attacking threat will ultimately prove too much to contain for a full ninety minutes. A hard-fought 1-1 draw on the night will be enough to send the hosts through to the quarter-finals.