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Hearts beaten by Heidenheim to inflict first loss of Conference League

Akhil Fisher
Patrick Mainka of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 battles for possession with Kenneth Vargas of Heart of Midlothian
Patrick Mainka of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 battles for possession with Kenneth Vargas of Heart of MidlothianEuan Cherry / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP
The inaugural H2H between Heart of Midlothian and 1. FC Heidenheim went the visitors’ way, as the German side extended their unbeaten streak in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL), including qualifiers, to five matches.

Unfolding into a split narrative, Hearts have struggled domestically but boast a perfect UECL record, while Heidenheim, despite a rough Bundesliga run pushing them toward the relegation zone, remain unbeaten in their debut European campaign.

Early efforts from Lawrence Shankland were thwarted by visiting shot-stopper Kevin Müller, and an unmarked Frankie Kent sent his diving header agonisingly past the right post, as the hosts aggressively pushed forward.

Heidenheim almost conceded when Alan Forrest set up Blair Spittal’s stinging attempt from the edge of the box, before Yan Dhanda and Forrest squandered chances from inside the area.

The visitors, though, responded just before HT, with Lennard Maloney’s lofty header forced off the goal-line by Malachi Boateng’s brilliant clearance.

Going toe-to-toe after the restart, Frank Schmidt’s men were the first to strike, stunning Tynecastle Park into silence as Hearts were caught out on the counter.

Mathias Honsak lofted a neat cross into the box for Sirlord Conteh, who sent a brilliant glancing header into the far corner to break the deadlock before the hour mark. 

With the game’s balance now tipping, the onus rested on the shoulders of Neil Critchley and his side, as they sought to avoid a fourth defeat in nine home matches.

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

However, as luck played out, Jan Schöppner capped Heidenheim’s victory with a fantastic header at the death, inflicting a first loss for Hearts this UECL campaign.

Meanwhile, the German outfit put an end to a three-match winless streak with the result, claiming just a second victory on the road in five games across all competitions in the process.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim)

Catch up on the match stats with Flashscore

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