PSV was 1-4 too strong for Sturm Graz. In Austria, PSV took three important points in the group stage of the Europa League, taking the lead in the pool on goal difference.
Supremacy
In a rainy Graz, PSV went in search of their first three points in the Europa League group stage. In the opening stages, Phillipp Mwene emerged as a dangerous weapon in his home side. Regularly, the Austrian sought to combine with Ritsu Doan to find the spaces. The home side showed themselves once in the opening stages but were then put with their backs against the wall by PSV, the team that kept control in the first half. For example, both Cody Gakpo and Philipp Max made worthy attempts from distance with hard shots.
Crowbar Sangaré
The opening goal eventually came in the name of Ibrahim Sangaré. The midfielder, via Marco van Ginkel, got a chance right in front of the Austrian goalkeeper and managed to very nicely tip the ball around him. A beautiful moment the Ivorian, who usually does not score much. It was his first goal in Europe. Within minutes, Doan was almost able to double the score. Gakpo managed to set him free with a sharp pass but goalkeeper Siebenhandl was in the way. Later it was the Japanese again who almost scored, on a pass from Eran Zahavi, Doan was a toe's length short of a shot. The first half remained just the one goal, but Sturm Graz hardly troubled PSV.
Goals
The final 45 minutes dawned. PSV had one more half to secure the three points. Within minutes, the lead was extended. In the transition, PSV was lightning fast. Zahavi ran himself free and received the perfect cross from Götze. In the completion, the Austrian goalkeeper was hopeless. The lead was needed, because it did not take long for Sturm Graz to find the connection. A cross from the side allowed the home side to head in. The goal brought self-confidence to the Austrians, forcing PSV to remain vigilant. Sturm Graz continued to fight for the equalizer. It almost came, but Joël Drommel had an excellent reflex to stop a great chance.
Treat
The game was not yet played, as it turned out. In the switch Carlos Vinícius almost scored his first, but the substitute needed just too much time. Later again, when he shot just wide of the goal on a pass from Gakpo. Still, the bigger lead came, allowing PSV to take a breath. Max decided to have a treat on his birthday, too. From about thirty meters, the left back lashed out and via an Austrian shoulder the ball flew into the crossbar, 1-3. It didn't stop there; substitute Yorbe Vertessen also made a contribution. A well-aimed shot into the far corner was unstoppable. PSV put the game away. In the final minutes there was another setback. An unfortunate action by Sangaré earned him a second yellow card, leaving PSV with ten men in injury time. However, it was too late for the Austrians to take advantage. 1-4 was the final score and PSV thus took the lead in the pool on goal difference.
