Match report

Celtic Secures Narrow Victory Over VfB Stuttgart In Europa League

VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
0–1
FT
Celtic
Celtic
Feb 26, 2026

Celtic stunned VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League with a decisive early strike from L. McCowan. Despite numerous substitutions and a crucial VAR offside decision, the Scottish side managed to maintain their lead throughout the match.

Key Facts

  • • L. McCowan scored the only goal for Celtic in the first minute.
  • • Celtic's C. Donovan received a yellow card during the match.
  • • VfB Stuttgart had multiple substitutions, including J. Leweling and T. Tomas.
  • • A late offside decision by VAR nullified a potential equalizer for VfB Stuttgart.

Lineups

VfB Stuttgart

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Starting XI

  • 33 Alexander Nübel (G)
  • 4 Josha Vagnoman (D)
  • 29 Finn Jeltsch (D)
  • 14 Luca Jaquez (D)
  • 7 Maximilian Mittelstädt (D)
  • 27 Badredine Bouanani (M)
  • 16 Atakan Karazor (M)
  • 30 Chema Andrés (M)
  • 18 Jamie Leweling (M)
  • 26 Deniz Undav (F)
  • 8 Tiago Tomás (F)

Substitutes

  • 10 Chris Führich
  • 6 Angelo Stiller
  • 9 Ermedin Demirović
  • 3 Ramon Hendriks
  • 11 Bilal El Khannouss
  • 1 Fabian Bredlow
  • 44 Florian Hellstern
  • 2 Ameen Al-Dakhil
  • 22 Lorenz Assignon
  • 28 Nikolas Nartey
  • 35 Mirza Ćatović

Celtic

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 12 Viljami Sinisalo (G)
  • 51 Colby Donovan (D)
  • 47 Dane Murray (D)
  • 6 Auston Trusty (D)
  • 36 Marcelo Saracchi (D)
  • 42 Callum McGregor (M)
  • 41 Reo Hatate (M)
  • 13 Yang Hyun-Jun (M)
  • 14 Luke McCowan (M)
  • 38 Daizen Maeda (M)
  • 9 Junior Adamu (F)

Substitutes

  • 56 Anthony Ralston
  • 11 Tomáš Čvančara
  • 23 Sebastian Tounekti
  • 8 Benjamin Nygren
  • 17 Kelechi Iheanacho
  • 1 Kasper Schmeichel
  • 5 Liam Scales
  • 63 Kieran Tierney
  • 28 Paulo Bernardo
  • 49 James Forrest
  • 50 Sean Mcardle
  • 52 Thomas Hatton

Timeline

  1. Celtic
    1' Celtic Goal · Normal Goal
    L. McCowan · Assist: J. Adamu
  2. Celtic
    45' Celtic Card · Yellow Card
    C. Donovan

    Holding

  3. VfB Stuttgart
    46' VfB Stuttgart subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Leweling · On: C. Fuhrich
  4. Celtic
    55' Celtic subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Adamu · On: T. Čvančara
  5. Celtic
    56' Celtic subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Donovan · On: A. Ralston
  6. VfB Stuttgart
    64' VfB Stuttgart subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Tomas · On: Ermedin Demirović
  7. VfB Stuttgart
    64' VfB Stuttgart subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Andres · On: A. Stiller
  8. Celtic
    68' Celtic subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Yang Hyun-Jun · On: B. Nygren
  9. Celtic
    68' Celtic subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. McCowan · On: S. Tounekti
  10. VfB Stuttgart
    72' VfB Stuttgart subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Jaquez · On: R. Hendriks
  11. VfB Stuttgart
    76' VfB Stuttgart Var · Goal Disallowed - offside
    D. Undav
  12. Celtic
    78' Celtic subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Hatate · On: K. Iheanacho
  13. VfB Stuttgart
    85' VfB Stuttgart subst · Substitution 5
    Off: B. Bouanani · On: B. El Khannouss

Match Stats

Stat VfB Stuttgart Celtic
Fouls 5 12
Pass Accuracy 87% 78%
Offsides 5 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 22 3
Corners 12 7
Total Passes 582 300
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 9 0
Shots on Target 8 2
xG 1.86 0.30
Shots off Target 5 1
Possession 66% 34%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 505 233
Shots Inside Box 13 2
Saves 1 6
Shots Outside Box 9 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early goal from L. McCowan set the tone for Celtic's victory, giving them a crucial lead right at the start.
  • ▸ VfB Stuttgart had several substitutions but could not capitalize on their opportunities due to an offside decision by VAR in the second half.