Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) delivered a breathtaking performance, hammering Stuttgart 5-1 in a six-goal spectacle. The night, however, belonged to Congolese forward Silas Katompa, whose brilliance ignited a relentless offensive display after an early setback.
The match kicked off with Stuttgart taking a shocking early lead, thanks to Ermedin Demirović’s composed finish in the 5th minute. The home crowd was silenced momentarily, but Crvena’s response was swift and emphatic. Silas Katompa leveled the scoreline in the 12th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, leaving Stuttgart’s keeper rooted to the spot. His equalizer breathed life into the Serbian side, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Crvena took control of the game after the equalizer, with relentless pressure and attacking intent. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when a well-executed pass resulted in a towering shot in the box to make it 2-1 at the break.
The second half was a masterclass in attacking football from Crvena, spearheaded by Katompa. The Congolese forward’s pace and creativity left Stuttgart’s defense in tatters. In the 65th minute, a quick counterattack culminated in a sensational team goal, extending the lead to 3-1. Four minutes later, the home side scored again, making it 4-1.
Crvena didn’t relent, and in the 88th minute, another goal sealed the rout at 5-1. The emphatic win sent the home fans into raptures, as they celebrated a dominant performance despite the club’s precarious position in the group standings.
Both teams remain in the battle to avoid elimination from the UEFA Champions League, making every point crucial as the group stage nears its conclusion. For now, however, Silas Katompa and Crvena can savor a memorable night of European football.