Bilal El Khannouss made a remarkable appearance on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the European Cup. On the pitch at Celtic, the Moroccan attacking midfielder led VfB Stuttgart to a 4-1 victory against Celtic in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs.
In a match initially disrupted by an early interruption due to a protest in the stands, Stuttgart maintained their composure and quickly asserted their dominance. El Khannouss stood out for his efficiency in crucial areas: he found the net for the first time, before scoring again before the half-hour mark, giving the Germans a significant advantage.
Celtic did manage a brief resurgence, equalizing momentarily to reignite the match, but Stuttgart applied pressure again without panicking. Beyond the goals, El Khannouss’s performance was particularly notable for his ability to play between the lines, to hold the ball and accelerate, and to time his runs into the box perfectly—a profile that often makes the difference in away matches in Europe.
After the break, Stuttgart finished the job by extending their lead, taking advantage of the Scottish defensive struggles and a difficult evening for the opposing goalkeeper. The final score gives the Germans a comfortable lead ahead of the return match, while Celtic already finds themselves under significant pressure to turn the situation around.
For El Khannouss, this brace in Glasgow feels like a reference match: decisive, clear-headed, and present at the heart of the moments that turn a game. A performance that further strengthens his status within the Stuttgart squad and confirms his impact on the European stage.
