Demirović Hat-Trick Powers Stuttgart Past Viking in Champions League Thriller
VfB Stuttgart secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Norwegian side Viking in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with striker Ermedin Demirović stealing the show with a magnificent hat-trick that had the footballing world buzzing.
Demirović Puts Stuttgart in Charge Early
The German outfit came out of the blocks firing, and it was Demirović who broke the deadlock in just the 20th minute, finishing with the composure of a seasoned Champions League campaigner. The Bosnian forward was not done there — he doubled Stuttgart's advantage just six minutes later in the 26th minute, giving the hosts a seemingly comfortable cushion heading into the half.
Viking Fight Back Before Stuttgart Seal It
Viking, however, refused to lie down. The Norwegian side sparked life into the contest when Zlatko Tripić pulled one back in the 22nd minute — sandwiched between Demirović's first and second goals in a chaotic opening spell — keeping Viking's hopes alive. But Demirović put the result beyond all doubt in the 32nd minute, completing his hat-trick and restoring Stuttgart's two-goal lead before the half-time whistle. The second half proved largely uneventful in terms of goals, with both coaches turning to their benches to freshen things up. Stuttgart made five substitutions in total, with Bilal El Khannouss, Finn Jeltsch, Jamie Leweling, Ermedin Demirović himself, and Maximilian Mittelstädt all introduced. Viking equally made five changes, bringing on Joe Bell, Jesper Daland, Kristoffer Haugen, Tobias Moi, and Henrik Heggheim in a bid to find a way back into the match.
Discipline Woes for Viking
Viking's night was further soured by a poor disciplinary record. The Norwegians picked up three yellow cards during the contest — Kristoffer Askildsen was booked in the 42nd minute for a foul, Peter Christiansen followed in the 54th minute for a similar offence, and Joe Bell received his caution in the 58th minute, also for a foul, just minutes before he was hauled off by his manager. Stuttgart, by contrast, kept their heads and finished the game without a single booking, demonstrating a level of maturity and control that underlined their dominance on the night.
What This Result Means
This is a massive result for VfB Stuttgart, who announced themselves emphatically on the European stage with a performance full of attacking intent and clinical finishing. Demirović's hat-trick will be the talk of the continent, and Stuttgart will head into their next Champions League fixture full of confidence. For Viking, it is a harsh lesson in the unforgiving nature of elite European football, with their discipline and defensive frailties exposed at the highest level. They will need to regroup quickly if they are to make any meaningful impact in this competition.