Motherwell 0–2 Hearts | Scottish Premiership | 25 October 2026

Result Summary

Hearts claimed a composed and ultimately convincing 2–0 victory at Fir Park, with goals from Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga and Calvin Miller securing three valuable Premiership points for Wouter Vrancken's side. Despite Motherwell enjoying more of the ball and generating the greater volume of attempts, Hearts were clinical when it mattered most — a trait that defined the afternoon.

Match Analysis

Motherwell entered the contest with evident ambition under Alfred Johansson, and the statistics tell a story of a home side that dominated in several areas without finding the net. Motherwell finished with 17 total shots to Hearts' 14, held 54% possession, and completed passes at an 84% success rate — notably sharper than Hearts' 78%. They also recorded 13 key passes to Hearts' 11. On paper, this was a competitive and engaged performance from the hosts.

Yet efficiency proved to be the critical differentiator. Hearts matched Motherwell's five shots on target while managing just three off target to Motherwell's seven, suggesting a disciplined and selective attacking approach. When Hearts created genuine opportunities, they converted them.

The opening goal arrived on 29 minutes, when Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga powered home a header, assisted by Sabah Kerjota, to hand Hearts the lead. The timing was significant — Hearts had weathered an early yellow card for Malachi Fagan-Walcott at 24 minutes and remained composed to strike before half-time. That single-goal cushion altered the tactical dynamic of the second half, inviting Motherwell forward while Hearts retained their shape.

The contest was feisty throughout. Five Hearts players received yellow cards — Fagan-Walcott, Kerjota, Jamie Mccart, Rogers Mato, and late substitute Yan Dhanda — with Motherwell's Tom Sparrow, Ibrahim Sa'id, and Tawanda Jethro Maswanhise also booked. The volume of cards reflects a physical and at times frustrated second period as Motherwell pushed for an equaliser.

Johansson turned to his bench, introducing Jamie Knight-Lebel, Eythor Martin Bjørgolfsson, and Jardell Kanga in the 61st and 65th minutes, while Hearts made the decisive substitution when Calvin Miller replaced Kerjota on 65 minutes. Miller, coming off the bench, sealed the result on 86 minutes with a composed left-foot finish, effectively ending any hope of a Motherwell comeback. The final scoreline, despite Motherwell's statistical enterprise, was a fair reflection of hearts' composure at key moments.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast of a 1–2 Hearts victory proved accurate in terms of the winning side, with the model assigning a 44% probability to a Hearts win against 30% for Motherwell. With a confidence rating of 57/100, this was assessed as a competitive fixture that could have gone multiple ways — and the match statistics largely support that caution. Motherwell were not outplayed comprehensively, but Hearts' game management and clinical finishing vindicated the forecast. Prediction outcome: correct.

Key Takeaways

• Hearts were ruthless in front of goal, converting opportunities efficiently despite facing a Motherwell side that created more overall.
• Cláudio Braga's headed opener was the pivotal moment, giving Hearts control they rarely relinquished.
• Calvin Miller's late strike off the bench underlined Hearts' squad depth and the impact of Vrancken's substitutions.
• Motherwell's high shot volume without reward (17 total, only 5 on target) highlights a finishing issue that Johansson will need to address.
• Hearts' discipline concerns — five yellow cards — may draw scrutiny heading into their next fixture.