Sturm Graz dismantled Heart of Midlothian 4-0 in Champions League action, but goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov had more work to do than the scoreline suggests. The Russian shot-stopper made six saves to keep Hearts off the board, earning a 7.8 match rating for a clean sheet that required genuine effort.
While Sturm's attack fired on all cylinders, four goals providing a comfortable margin, Hearts created enough chances to test Khudyakov repeatedly. The 26-year-old stood firm each time, dealing with everything the Scottish side threw at him to preserve the shutout.
No gifts at the back
Clean sheets in lopsided wins often come easy for goalkeepers who spend the evening as spectators. This was not one of those nights. Khudyakov had to be alert, positioned correctly, and decisive with his hands. Six interventions across the match kept Hearts from clawing back any respectability, underlining that Sturm's defensive discipline extended all the way to the last line.
The result gives Sturm a strong platform in the competition, though they will know that a more clinical opponent might have punished any lapses. For now, Khudyakov's reflexes ensured the scoresheet stayed pristine, and four goals going the other way told the story Sturm wanted to tell.