El Khannouss opens his Bundesliga account in Stuttgart win

Morocco international Bilal El Khannouss scored his first Bundesliga goal as VfB Stuttgart rolled to a 2-0 victory over St. Pauli on Friday.

The hosts overcame Angelo Stiller’s failure to convert a penalty kick to get the maximum points at the MHPArena. Ermedin Demirovic opened the scoring just before halftime and El Khannouss doubled Stuttgart’s lead in the 50th minute. Demirovic’s lay off was perfect for a composed finish by the Dutch-born playmaker with the side of his boot.

Will the Stuttgart loan be El Khannouss’ ticket to the AFCON?

The 21-year-old left Leicester City on loan to return to top flight European football in the recently completed transfer window. After a less than ideal debut in a defeat at Freiburg, El Khannouss and Stuttgart bounced back for their second win in four Bundesliga matches so far this campaign.

El Khannouss is firmly in the picture for the Morocco national team as they get ready to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year. He appeared in both of the Atlas Lions’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches earlier this month and regular playing time with Stuttgart will keep the talented attacker in Morocco coach Walid Regragui’s plans.

Next, Stuttgart begin their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League with a home match against Spain’s Celta Vigo next Thursday.