Red Star outclass Stuttgart to clinch season's first Champions League win

BELGRADE - Serbian football champions Red Star Belgrade outclassed Stuttgart 5-1 at home in a UEFA Champions League Match Day 5 game on Wednesday evening to clinch their first win in the top-tier European club football competition this season.

With three points, Red Star are now in the 31st place in the Champions League table and just two points short of the 24th position, which leads to the Round of Last 16 playoffs.

Stuttgart, who were without six first-team players due to injuries, took the lead at the Rajko Mitic Stadium through Elmedin Demirovic in the 5th minute, but Silas Katompa Mvumpa - who is on loan to Red Star from Stuttgart - equalised for the hosts in the 12th minute.

In the 28th minute, Demirovic had a goal disallowed for offside after a VAR check and Rade Krunic scored three minutes later to turn the game around for Red Star.

Substitute Mirko Ivanic headed the ball home in the 65th minute to make it 3-1 after a corner kick by Timi Max Elsnik and Nemanja Radonjic, who also came on as a substitute, netted in the 69th and the 88th minute after counter-attacks to complete the rout.

Red Star next play Milan away on December 11.