Last-gasp drama: Stuttgart snatch point in 96th minute against Hoffenheim
Last-gasp drama: Stuttgart snatch point in 96th minute against Hoffenheim It was billed as a defining clash in the race for Europe—and TSG Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart delivered a spectacle that neither side will forget in a hurry. Just when Hoffenheim looked set to secure a crucial victory, Stuttgart struck deep into stoppage time to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw and keep the Champions League race finely balanced. Official match report: With both teams level on 57 points ahead of kick-off, the stakes at the PreZero Arena were immense.
Hoffenheim, sitting fourth, aimed to consolidate their position, while Stuttgart sought to leapfrog their direct rivals in the table. The hosts made a dream start. After just eight minutes, a scramble in the box allowed Andrej Kramarić to calmly slot past Alexander Nübel and give Hoffenheim the lead.
Stuttgart responded well, and in the 20th minute, Chris Führich combined neatly on the left before beating Oliver Baumann at the near post to make it 1-1. But Hoffenheim quickly regained control. Just three minutes later, Banzoumana Touré reacted fastest to a rebound from a corner and fired into the bottom corner to restore the lead.
The game remained wide open, with both sides showing attacking quality and defensive vulnerability. The second half began in explosive fashion. Within three minutes of the restart, Hoffenheim extended their advantage: a well-worked move involving Burger and Touré ended with Kramarić finishing clinically for 3-1.
The Croatian’s strike marked his 140th Bundesliga goal - all for Hoffenheim - further cementing his legendary status at the club. Hoffenheim nearly made it four when Vladimír Coufal tested Nübel with a powerful free-kick, but Stuttgart stayed within touching distance - and capitalized soon after. A misplaced pass from Kramarić allowed Stuttgart to break, with Leweling setting up Ermedin Demirović , who finished coolly to make it 3-2 in the 64th minute, again exposing Baumann at his near post.