Alexander Schwolow turned in a goalkeeping masterclass on Wednesday night, registering a match rating of 9.7 as SK Sturm Graz beat Heart of Midlothian 2-0 in their Champions League clash at Tynecastle.
The German shot-stopper made 11 saves across the 90 minutes, denying everything Hearts threw at him to preserve a clean sheet that proved decisive. With 47 touches, Schwolow was constantly involved, his positioning and reflexes frustrating the Scottish side throughout.
Clinical visitors
Sturm Graz needed only two goals to settle the contest, their efficiency in front of goal matched by Schwolow's commanding presence at the other end. Hearts created chances but found no way past the 33-year-old, who has now spent the past four seasons in Austria after earlier spells in Germany's top flight.
The result hands Sturm Graz a crucial away victory in Europe's premier club competition, while Hearts are left to rue a night when nothing would beat the opposing goalkeeper. Schwolow's performance underlined the fine margins at this level: dominate possession, create opportunities, yet still leave empty-handed when a keeper is in this kind of form.