VfB Stuttgart lost both legs of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie with Porto. - © MIGUEL RIOPA

bundesliga

VfB Stuttgart out of UEFA Europa League after Porto defeat

20.03.2026

VfB Stuttgart's hopes of reaching the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals were ended by Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.

Porto 2-0 VfB Stuttgart (agg 4-1)
Goals: 1-0 William Gomes 21' (assist: Sainz), 2-0 Froholdt 72'
Sent off: Nartey 77'

After a 2-1 first-leg defeat a week ago, Stuttgart knew they had to win in Oporto to have any chance of progressing.

Jeff Chabot and Chris Führich were denied by Diogo Costa in the early stages, before William Gomes struck for Porto to deal a huge blow to VfB's comeback hopes.

Diogo Costa was at it again in the second half, twice foiling Deniz Undav as Stuttgart threw everything at the Portuguese league leaders.

With Sebastian Hoeneß's team chasing the game, a wonderful 72nd-minute strike from Porto's Victor Froholdt all but sealed the DFB Cup holders' fate. Nikolas Nartey was sent off for two yellow cards minutes later as Stuttgart bowed out of the competition.

As it happened!

2 - 0

(1 - 0)

Porto

FINAL

Stuttgart

Europa League
Round of 16, second leg Round of 16, second leg Estádio do Dragão, Porto

Full-time: Porto 2-0 Stuttgart (agg 4-1)

Stuttgart's European journey comes to a close in Porto, despite a spirited attacking performance, particularly for the first hour, Porto managed to snatch a goal against the run of play in the first half through William Gomes but the Swabians weren't disheartened, frequently going close through the likes of Undav and Führich. However, substitute Froholdt delivered a sucker punch midway through the second half with an absolute rocket, before Nartey's dismissal meant Stuttgart had to see the game out with a man disadvantage.

Full-time

90'

Flashed across

A shooting opportunity opens up for Fernandes, who just drags his effort towards the bottom left corner wide.

87'

Petering out

The wind has come out of Stuttgart's sails here and they're struggling to create the same calibre of chances they managed prior to Nartey's dismissal. Most recently, Bouanani crossed in towards Tiago Tomás, whose glancing header sailed harmlessly over the bar.

82'

In by El Khannouss

The Moroccan whips a corner in from the left towards the near post, but Thiago Silva is there to head it clear.

78'

Final roll of the dice

Hoeneß makes his final changes of the evening as his side chase a three-goal aggregate deficit.

78'

Substitution

Lorenz Assignon

Chris Führich

78'

Substitution

Chema Andrés

Angelo Stiller

78'

Substitution

Badredine Bouanani

Deniz Undav

77'

Nartey dismissed!

It's gone from bad to worse for Stuttgart as Nartey picks up two yellow cards in two minutes, for two fouls on Rosario.

77'

Second yellow card

Nikolas Nartey

76'

Nartey sees yellow

The full-back is cautioned for a foul on Rosario.

76'

Yellow card

Nikolas Nartey

73'

Substitution

Alan Varela

Seko Fofana

Froholdt surely fires Porto into the quarter-finals!

What a hit! The substitute charges up the field for another Porto counter. Stiller dispossesses him at the edge of the box, but Froholdt doesn't give up on it. He picks Stiller's pocket before lasering the ball into the top corner at the near post. Nübel stood no chance and now Stuttgart have a mountain to climb here.

72'

Victor Froholdt

GOAL!

2:0

70'

Blocked by Jaquez

Porto counterattack, working it beautifully from right to left before Jaquez manages to put in a block at the byline to stop the cross.

68'

Intensive run

Tiago Tomás does excellently to get away from his man before driving up the right flank. He cuts inside and looks to cross, but the ball is blocked by Bednarek. It falls back to the Stuttgart man, who then loses his footing under pressure from Thiago Silva.

65'

Another defensive change

Full-back Fernandes comes on for Sainz as Porto look to hold their lead, moving to a back-five.

65'

Substitution

Martim Fernandes

Borja Sainz

63'

Jaquez has his name taken

The defender prevents Sainz from leading a Porto counter-attack and is shown a yellow card as a result.

63'

Yellow card

Luca Jaquez

61'

First Stuttgart changes

Sebastian Hoeneß looks to the bench for the first time this evening, introducing Nartey and Tomás for Mittelstädt and Karazor in an attacking-minded double swap.

61'

Substitution

Tiago Tomás

Maximilian Mittelstädt

61'

Substitution

Nikolas Nartey

Atakan Karazor

60'

Not his day

A chipped ball over the backline finds Undav, who tries to chip the onrushing Diogo Costa with his first touch. His effort clears the keeper but just drifts agonisingly wide of the right post.

The goalscorer departs

Francesco Farioli makes further changes to his Porto side, withdrawing goalscorer William Gomes and Zaidu for Pepê and Kiwior.

57'

Substitution

Pepê

William Gomes

57'

Substitution

Jakub Kiwior

Zaidu

57'

Just wide

A high ball inside Porto box drops for Mittelstädt, who hits a first-time volley with his right foot, sending the ball trickling wide of the mark.

54'

Undav!

Stiller plays it to Undav just inside Porto's penalty area. With his back to goal, the striker plays a lovely give-and-go with Demirović before putting his laces through the ball. However, Diogo Costa once again refuses to be beaten, tipping it behind for a corner.

52'

Loses his footing

Sainz breaks between the lines and races into the Stuttgart box. He cuts back before trying to feed Gomes, but the goalscorer trips himself up before he can bring the ball under his control.

51'

No shot

Karazor and Mittelstädt combine well on the edge of the Porto box, before the latter looks to pick out Demirović with a cross. A Porto head is first to it, however, clearing it as far as Zaidu, who is then brought down by Mittelstädt.

46'

Back underway!

The ball is rolling for the final 45 minutes of this last 16 tie. The hosts opt to make a change at half-time, introducing Froholdt for Mora, who had picked up a yellow card in the first half. Stuttgart are unchanged.

46'

Substitution

Victor Froholdt

Rodrigo Mora

Kick-off!

Half-time: Porto 1-0 Stuttgart

So, it's the hosts who head in at the break with their noses in front in both this game, and the tie. Stuttgart have not lacked chances to score, with Undav and Führich going closest for the Swabians, but Porto keeper Diogo Costa has been in inspired form. Sebastian Hoeneß' side now have just 45 minutes to find a way back into this last 16 encounter, though they should take confidence from their strong attacking display in the first half, despite trailing.

Half-time

45'

Mora delivers

The youngster swings in a corner from the left, but Undav is there at the front post to head it clear.

45'

Stoppage time

One additional minute has been indicated here.

42'

Lovely change of pace

Mora picks the ball up on the edge of the Stuttgart box. He shimmies away from Karazor, before trying to pick his spot into the bottom left corner with his right boot. However, he can only drag his shot wide.

40'

Fofana hits it

Porto counter once again, and Fofana manages to get on the end of a cross, but his effort doesn't do enough to properly trouble Nübel.

Still no way through

For all of Stuttgart's productivity in attack, they're still yet to find a way past Diogo Costa. El Khannouss (pictured), Führich and Undav have all been particularly lively in front of goal, but a breakthrough continues to elude the Swabians with just over five minutes of normal time remaining in the first half here.

36'

Sainz lets fly

From the resultant free-kick, Stuttgart win the first header, but the Swabians can only clear it as far as the edge of the box, where Sainz hits a rebound first time. It's powerfully struck, but flies wide of the mark.

35'

Demirović sees yellow

After a flurry of Stuttgart corners - all of which Porto managed to deal with by hook or by crook - the hosts launch a counter-attack via Mora, who is brought down cynically by Demirović.

35'

Yellow card

Ermedin Demirović

32'

Führich bends one

Diogo Costa is in inspired form here tonight. Stuttgart's No.10 cuts in off the left flank before curling an effort towards the far corner. At full stretch, Porto's goalkeeper manages to tip it wide. That already marks the custodian's sixth save of the night.

30'

El Khannouss forces the stop

Stuttgart have yet another good chance as El Khannouss lines up a shot from the edge of the box. He aims his shot towards the bottom left corner, but Diogo Costa gets down well to make the save.

29'

Zaidu!

El Khannouss' corner is cleared by Porto, who themselves launch a counter-attack. In a three-on-three scenario, Gomes picks out Zaidu at the far post, who has to stretch to get something on the ball, firing it straight at Nübel.

27'

Two bites

El Khannouss takes the resultant set-piece. He finds Chabot, whose header is deflected back to him, before his fires the volleyed rebound off target.

25'

Plenty of bookings

Mora impedes El Khannouss and becomes the third Porto player to receive a yellow card inside 25 minutes here. A member of the Porto coaching staff is also shown a red card in the aftermath.

25'

Yellow card

Rodrigo Mora

23'

Zaidu booked

The defender sees yellow for a challenge on Undav.

23'

Yellow card

Zaidu

Gomes fires Porto in front!

It's a goal from nothing for the hosts here. Sainz drives into the box up the left flank. The recovering Karazor puts in a lovely challenge before he can get a shot off, but his tackle deflects the ball to Gomes, who is unmarked at the far post to prod home from close range. Hammer blow for Stuttgart, who now trail 2-0 on aggregate.

21'

William Gomes

GOAL!

1:0

19'

Swung in by Stiller

The midfielder takes Stuttgart's third corner of the game. He whips it in from the right, but Diogo Costa is there to punch it clear.

18'

Mittelstädt down

Stuttgart's No.7 writhes around in agony after receiving a physical challenge from Sainz. A VAR check for a potential red card was undertaken, but it's since been cleared.

Stuttgart working hard

After disappointment at home last week, Stuttgart have wasted no time in looking to overturn the one-goal deficit and are unlucky not to have scored so far. Nevertheless, the deadlock in this second leg remains to be broken.

12'

So close!

Führich drives up the left flank. He plays a low cross into the box, finding Undav in space, whose left-footed effort flies just past the left post. With the form he is in at the moment, you expected the net to bulge there!

Good effort

Ultimately, it's Stiller who takes the free-kick but fires it straight into the wall. The rebound falls to Führich, who strikes first-time on the half-volley. His powerful effort takes a deflection on the way through to Diogo Costa, who pulls off a good reflex save to tip it behind for a corner, upon which Stuttgart don't manage to capitalise.

Early booking

El Khannouss bursts forward for Stuttgart. He is brought down on the edge of the box by midfielder Rosario, who now must walk a tightrope for the remainder of the game. Führich and Stiller stand over the free-kick...

Yellow card

Pablo Rosario

Stuttgart asserting themselves

The Swabians have dominated the ball in the early phases here. With their one-goal aggregate advantage, Porto aren't looking to press their visitors high up the pitch, instead opting to sit back and stay compact.

Early chance

Bednarek impedes Demirović around 40 yards from goal. Stiller chips the ball into the penalty area, where Chabot meets it with his head, forcing Diogo Costa into tipping the ball over for a corner. Mittelstädt takes, but Porto clear.

And we're off!

Stuttgart get the ball rolling here in Porto as they chase a one-goal aggregate deficit.

Kick-off!

Great news for the Bundesliga!

Freiburg have just overturned a first-leg deficit against Genk to reach the Europa League quarters. Mainz are also through in the Conference League, after beating Sigma Olomouc. Can Stuttgart make it a clean sweep?

More on those teams

Jeltsch drops to the bench and Leweling misses out through injury, so in come Chabot and Mittelstädt for Stuttgart. Porto are unchanged from the first leg.

Porto starting line-up

Diogo Costa (c) - Alberto Costa, Thiago Silva, Bednarek, Zaidu - Fofana, Rosario, Rodrigo Mora - William Gomes, Moffi, Sainz

Porto subs

Cláudio Ramos, João Costa, Kiwior, Froholdt, Gabriel Veiga, Pepe, Prpić, Varela, Gül, Sousa, Fernandes, Moura

Stuttgart starting line-up

Nübel - Jaquez, Chabot, Hendriks, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller - El Khannouss, Undav, Führich - Demirović

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Hellstern, Al-Dakhil, Vagnoman, Tiago Tómas, Assignon, Bouanani, Nartey, Jeltsch, Chema Andrés, Catovic

Sebastian Hoeneß on the second leg

"The very fact that we could go through to the quarter-finals is motivation enough. It's not your average game - you can feel the buzz already. The first leg is still very fresh in our hearts and in our minds. It'll take everything a knockout match demands, along with a well-balanced display from us. Porto are having an exceptional season, so their style isn't likely to change much in the space of a week."

Stuttgart team news

Similar to last week's match, Stuttgart will travel to Porto without Lazar Jovanović (back) and Josha Vagnoman (thigh). The absence of the latter could see Lorenz Assignon start, especially with Jamie Leweling limping off against RB Leipzig in the side's most recent Bundesliga game.

Porto team news

Porto have a clean bill of health, barring long-term absentees Nehuén Pérez (ACL rupture), Luuk de Jong and Samu Aghehowa (both ACL tears). The hugely talented Oskar Pietuszewski, still just 17, could feature on the wing after netting in his last three league games for Porto.

Francesco Farioli on Porto's first-leg advantage

"We will face a team that will come here with great intensity, and we must have the ability to respond. The advantage is part of the past. What happened in Stuttgart stays in Stuttgart, and tomorrow at the Dragão we have to play all our cards to move forward."

Francesco Farioli on facing Stuttgart

"It's better to have a small advantage, we are happy, but we must consider that it's 0-0. Tomorrow will be another game, and we have to approach it with the desire to win."

Porto see off Moreirense

The Portuguese side come into the second leg on the back of a 3-0 win against Moreirense in the league. Goals from Gabri Veiga, Oskar Pietuszewski and William Gomes helped Porto extend their lead at the top of the Liga Portugal.

0:59

Watch: Stuttgart 1-0 RB Leipzig - highlights

Sebastian Hoeneß's men will be full of confidence going into their return leg with Porto having edged a high stakes game against Leipzig on Matchday 26.

First-leg recap

Porto edged the first leg 2-1, with all three goals coming in the first half. That result will have knocked Stuttgart, who were the best team in terms of home from during the league phase, winning all four of their fixtures at the MHPArena, scoring 11 and conceding only four.