VfB Stuttgart defeated 1. FC Köln 4–1 on Matchday 2, with Bilal El Khannouss, Grischa Prömel, Ermedin Demirović and Josha Vagnoman on the scoresheet.
Match Overview
VfB Stuttgart produced an emphatic performance on Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, defeating newly promoted 1. FC Köln 4–1.
The result was built on a strong attacking display, with Stuttgart taking control after a relatively competitive opening period and eventually creating a decisive advantage in the second half.
Bilal El Khannouss opened the scoring in the 39th minute, giving Stuttgart a 1–0 lead before the interval. The hosts then increased their advantage through Grischa Prömel, who made it 2–0 in the 60th minute.
Stuttgart continued to press forward, and Ermedin Demirović added a third goal in the 75th minute.
Köln pulled one back six minutes later when Ramon Hendriks scored an own goal, briefly offering the visitors a route back into the contest.
However, Stuttgart refused to surrender control. Josha Vagnoman completed the scoring in stoppage time, sealing a convincing 4–1 victory.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Bundesliga 2026/27 |
| Matchday | 2 |
| Match | VfB Stuttgart vs 1. FC Köln |
| Final Score | Stuttgart 4–1 Köln |
| Half-Time | Stuttgart 1–0 Köln |
| Stuttgart Scorers | El Khannouss 39', Prömel 60', Demirović 75', Vagnoman 90+1' |
| Köln Scorer | Hendriks OG 81' |
| Result | Stuttgart win |
El Khannouss Breaks the Deadlock
The first goal arrived shortly before half-time.
After a period in which both sides looked to establish their rhythm, Bilal El Khannouss scored in the 39th minute to put Stuttgart ahead.
The timing was particularly valuable for the home side. Going into the dressing room with a lead allowed Stuttgart to approach the second half from a position of strength rather than having to chase the game.
For Köln, conceding just before the interval meant their defensive work in the opening period had ultimately been undone.
The 1–0 scoreline, however, left the match far from settled.
Prömel Doubles Stuttgart's Advantage
Stuttgart came out strongly after the break and soon found the second goal.
Grischa Prömel scored in the 60th minute, extending the hosts' lead to 2–0.
That goal significantly altered the tactical balance.
Köln now needed to score if they wanted to get back into the match, while Stuttgart could exploit the additional spaces created by the visitors' need to attack.
The second goal also gave Stuttgart greater confidence and allowed them to play with more freedom in possession.
Demirović Makes It Three
The home side continued to threaten and were rewarded again in the 75th minute.
Ermedin Demirović made it 3–0, putting Stuttgart firmly in control.
At that point, the match appeared to be effectively decided.
The three-goal advantage reflected Stuttgart's increasing dominance and their ability to turn promising attacking situations into goals.
For Köln, the challenge was now to prevent the margin from becoming even greater.
Köln Pull One Back Through an Own Goal
Köln managed to reduce the deficit in the 81st minute.
However, their goal came through Ramon Hendriks' own goal, rather than an attacking breakthrough.
The 3–1 scoreline offered Köln a brief lift, but the visitors still required two more goals to rescue a point.
With the match entering its final stages, Stuttgart remained in a strong position.
Vagnoman Seals the Victory
Any remaining doubts disappeared in stoppage time.
Josha Vagnoman scored in the 90+1st minute, restoring Stuttgart's three-goal advantage and completing the 4–1 victory.
The late goal was a fitting conclusion to Stuttgart's performance.
Rather than simply protecting their lead, the hosts continued looking for opportunities and were rewarded with a fourth goal.
Goal Timeline
39' – 1–0 Stuttgart: Bilal El Khannouss opens the scoring.
60' – 2–0 Stuttgart: Grischa Prömel doubles Stuttgart's advantage.
75' – 3–0 Stuttgart: Ermedin Demirović puts the hosts three goals ahead.
81' – 3–1: Ramon Hendriks scores an own goal for Köln.
90+1' – 4–1 Stuttgart: Josha Vagnoman completes the scoring in stoppage time.
Tactical Analysis
Stuttgart's Patience Pays Off
Stuttgart did not need to force the game early.
The opening goal arrived in the 39th minute, giving the hosts the advantage they needed to approach the second half with confidence.
Once Prömel scored the second goal, the game became increasingly favourable for Stuttgart.
Attacking Depth Makes the Difference
One of the most encouraging aspects of Stuttgart's display was the variety of their goalscorers.
El Khannouss, Prömel, Demirović and Vagnoman all contributed to the scoreline.
That distribution suggests Stuttgart were not dependent on a single attacking player to produce the decisive moments.
Köln Struggle After the Break
Köln remained competitive during the early stages, but Stuttgart gradually increased their control.
The second goal was particularly damaging because it forced Köln to become more aggressive.
That created spaces which Stuttgart were able to exploit, eventually leading to Demirović's third goal and a comfortable victory.
Standout Player: Bilal El Khannouss
Bilal El Khannouss deserves special recognition for opening the scoring and giving Stuttgart the platform from which they built their victory.
His 39th-minute goal arrived at an important moment and allowed Stuttgart to enter half-time ahead.
The Moroccan international's contribution will be particularly encouraging for Stuttgart as they look to establish momentum early in the Bundesliga campaign.
What the Result Means
For Stuttgart, the 4–1 victory represents an important early statement in the Bundesliga season.
Winning by three goals against a newly promoted opponent demonstrates the team's attacking potential and provides confidence heading into the next round of fixtures.
The performance also showed Stuttgart's ability to remain aggressive after taking the lead rather than becoming overly defensive.
For Köln, the result highlights the difficulty of returning to the Bundesliga and competing against established top-flight opposition.
The visitors will need to improve their defensive resilience, particularly during periods when opponents increase their attacking pressure.
Final Thoughts
VfB Stuttgart delivered a commanding 4–1 victory over 1. FC Köln on Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
Bilal El Khannouss provided the breakthrough in the 39th minute, while Grischa Prömel and Ermedin Demirović extended Stuttgart's advantage after the interval.
Köln briefly reduced the deficit through a Ramon Hendriks own goal, but Stuttgart responded by continuing to attack, with Josha Vagnoman adding a fourth goal in stoppage time.
The result gives Stuttgart valuable momentum at the beginning of the campaign and underlines the team's attacking quality.
For Köln, the defeat will serve as an early reminder of the intensity of Bundesliga football, but there is plenty of time remaining in the season to respond.