Vrancken's side come of age as Hearts bid goodnight Vienna

WHAT HAPPENED
Hearts eliminated Rapid Vienna on penalties in Austria to reach the UEFA Conference League league phase, clinching a place in Friday’s draw and earning two fixtures in each of October, November and December. The tie was settled after extra time finished level following a late equaliser from Rapid and a dramatic shootout in which goalkeeper Beau Reus made decisive saves to secure a 4-3 penalty victory.

During the match Rapid took a 1-0 lead through Ercan Kara. Hearts were reduced to ten men after a red card for Tomas Magnusson, but Pierre Landry Kabore levelled to force extra time. Nenad Cvetkovic struck late on 119 minutes to make it all square, and the match went to penalties where Reus denied Moulaye Haidara and saved the decisive spot-kick to complete the win.

KEY CONTEXT
Three months earlier, on 16 May, Hearts lost on the final day and were denied a first Scottish top-flight title in 66 years; the club’s European path this summer also included heavy aggregate defeats — 6-0 to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying and 7-1 to Benfica in Europa League qualifying.