VfB Stuttgart 3-1 Viking: Demirović's 12-minute hat-trick ends a European debut early

VfB Stuttgart needed just 12 minutes of first-half football to settle their opening Champions League league-phase fixture. Ermedin Demirović scored three times between the 20th and 32nd minutes at the MHPArena, either side of a Viking equaliser that briefly threatened to turn the game, and Stuttgart closed it out 3-1.

Demirović opened the scoring in the 20th minute, only for Zlatko Tripić to level for Viking two minutes later, set up by Henrik Bjordal — a reminder that the Norwegian champions had not made the trip to Germany simply to make up the numbers. It did not last. Demirović restored Stuttgart's lead in the 26th minute and completed his hat-trick shortly after, both goals arriving with Deniz Undav supplying the assists from open play. From 1-1 to 3-1 inside ten minutes, the contest was effectively over before the half-hour mark.

A first league-phase night for both clubs

This was uncharted ground for both sides. Stuttgart's participation in this season's Champions League follows a strong run domestically, but the 36-club league phase itself is new territory for the club regardless of past European campaigns further down the calendar. Viking's presence in the competition proper is rarer still — a first appearance in the league phase for the Norwegian club, whose European history has mostly been written in the qualifying rounds and the Europa and Conference Leagues rather than on this stage. Tripić's leveller, even in a losing effort, was proof the occasion did not overwhelm them.

Match facts

• 20' — Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart)
• 22' — Zlatko Tripić (Viking)
• 26' — Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart)
• 32' — Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart)
• MHPArena, Stuttgart — Champions League league phase, matchday 1, Wednesday 9 September 2026

What's next

Stuttgart take maximum points and a Demirović hat-trick into the rest of a league phase they are contesting for the first time in its new 36-club form. Viking, who matched Stuttgart goal for goal for the opening half hour before Demirović pulled away, will look to build on the parts of the performance that worked as the group stage schedule continues.