Galatasaray 2-0 VfB Stuttgart: Alexey Batrakov's early brace ends Stuttgart's unbeaten run

Galatasaray beat VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on matchday 4 of the Champions League league phase, Alexey Batrakov scoring both goals inside the first 15 minutes to put the result beyond doubt early. It was Stuttgart's first defeat of the campaign after three matches unbeaten.

Batrakov does it twice before the quarter-hour

Batrakov opened the scoring in the 12th minute and added a second three minutes later, the first assisted by Davinson Sánchez. Victor Osimhen led the Galatasaray line from the start, with Ilkay Gündogan, Leroy Sané and Rafael Leão all introduced from the bench as the hosts protected the lead rather than chased a third.

A rare setback for Stuttgart

Stuttgart had opened their Champions League campaign with wins over Viking and Slovan Bratislava before drawing with Atlético Madrid on matchday 3 — three games without defeat. This was their first loss of the league phase, and a fractious one: five of their players were booked, against three for Galatasaray, in a game that saw eight yellow cards in total.

What the result changes

The win is Galatasaray's second in a row, following a 4-2 win away at Lille on matchday 3 that followed back-to-back opening defeats. They move to 18th in the 36-club table on 6 points, inside the knockout play-off zone. Stuttgart stay above them in 14th on 7 points, also in the play-off zone, but with a game in hand on form after their first setback of the competition.

Match facts

• 12' — Alexey Batrakov (Galatasaray)
• 15' — Alexey Batrakov (Galatasaray), assist Davinson Sánchez
• Champions League league phase, matchday 4, Tuesday 3 November 2026

Line-ups

What's next

Galatasaray are up to 18th with two straight wins behind them, while Stuttgart's 14th-place spot still leaves them comfortably inside the play-off zone despite the defeat. Both sides return to league-phase action for matchday 5.