The brand-new Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima was buzzing for the latest installment of the J.League International Series 2024 powered by docomo and the packed crowd was treated to a high-octane night of football as VfB Stuttgart defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 5-2.

The Bundesliga runners-up were riding high after taking down Kyoto Sanga F.C. four days earlier and they wasted no time hitting the gas in Hiroshima when Justin Diehl went close after 10 minutes.

Sanfrecce were not fazed, though, nearly finding the back of the net themselves when Takaaki Shichi raced down the left and forced Alexander Nübel into an excellent one-handed stop to keep the match level.

It wouldn't stay that way for long, with Jamie Leweling breaking into the box in the 19th minute and picking out Angelo Stiller, who slotted home for the opening tally.

The hosts went into the break down 1-0 but rebounded ten minutes into the second half.

Yotaro Nakajima picked the ball up in midfield and beat one man with a step-over before feeding Aren Inoue. Inoue's first touch found Taishi Matsumoto, who crossed back to Nakajima making a late run into the box. The 18-year-old #NextGenJLEAGUE product then picked out the corner, with the VfB goalkeeper only able to take some pace off the ball as it reached the back of the net.

Sanfrecce had struck back with a brilliant bit of play, but Stuttgart would soon hit for a quickfire double. First, Ömer Beyaz connected with a precise blast into the bottom right corner from just outside the box; then, Thomas Kastanaras ran in behind the defense and rounded the goalkeeper. Just like that, it was 3-1 to the German visitors.

Sanfrecce made sure their fans would have another moment to remember, though, as Marcos Júnior scored with an absolute pearl of a free kick in the 76th minute. The Brazilian maestro lightly floated the ball over the wall and into the back of the net - a sublime bit of skill that sent cheers erupting throughout the stadium.

The night belonged to Stuttgart, though, who restored their two-goal lead in the 78th minute as Jeong Woo-yeong fed Nick Woltemade for a simple finish. The Bundesliga club would then put the match well out of reach in stoppage time with a terrific Moussa Cissé solo effort — celebrated in very J.League fashion with mascot Fritzle.

The J.League International Series 2024 powered by docomo wraps up with one more showcase on Saturday when Newcastle United take on Yokohama F·Marinos at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. Make sure to get your tickets right HERE.