Hearts are out of the Champions League after a 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sturm Graz, with the Austrian side completing a comfortable second-leg win at Tynecastle. Neil Critchleys side needed to overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg in Graz and never looked like doing so, with second-half goals from Simon Seidl and Emran Soglo settling a tie that had long since been decided.The first half was goalless, though Sturm Graz had the better of the chances. Alexander Schwolow made sharp stops to deny Szymon Wlodarczyk and Jon Gorenc Stankovic, while Seedy Jatta had a goal ruled out by VAR on 26 minutes. Hearts created little of note, with Blair Spittals long-range effort the closest they came to threatening Daniil Khudyakov. Stephen Kingsley was also forced off injured before half-time, adding to the home sides problems.Visitors make second-half breakthroughSturm Graz made the breakthrough on 64 minutes when Seidl tucked into the bottom corner from the right side of the box following Gorenc Stankovics headed knockdown. Soglo added a second four minutes later, finishing from close range after Wlodarczyks through ball split the Hearts defence.Critchleys side pushed for a response in the final twenty minutes, with Calvin Miller forcing a save from Khudyakov and substitute Amadou Ba-Sy seeing a shot blocked late on, but they could not find a goal that would have made little difference to the outcome.After exiting the Champions League, they will now drop into the third round of Europa League qualifying. Topics Heart of Midlothian F.C. SK Sturm Graz Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read SPFL opens disciplinary proceedings into Celtic pitch invasions Nicholas McGee 22nd May, 2026 Celtic v Hearts: Preview, predicted line-ups & where to watch Scottish title decider Jon Fisher 15th May, 2026 Hearts 2-1 Rangers: Shankland strikes huge blow in title race Nicholas McGee 4th May, 2026 Rangers 2-2 Celtic: Report, result, goals from Scottish Premiership Ben Miller 1st March, 2026 Europa League Matchday 5 round-up: Mixed fortunes for Rangers and Celtic as Lyon hit six Mitch Fretton 27th November, 2025 Sturm Graz 0-0 Nottingham Forest: Report as Gibbs-White penalty miss extends winless run Nicholas McGee 6th November, 2025
