Key Takeaways:
- Deniz Undav netted his 13th league goal of the season late on as Stuttgart drew 3-3 at Heidenheim
- Heidenheim earned just their third Bundesliga point of 2026, moving within six points of safety
- Stuttgart missed the chance to close the gap on top-four rivals after RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund drew on Saturday
First Half Delivers High-Octane Football
The clash at Voith-Arena began at a frenetic pace, with Stuttgart immediately imposing themselves. Chris Fuhrich capitalised on a defensive lapse and surged through Heidenheim’s back line, opening the scoring with a composed finish past Diant Ramaj after only five minutes. However, Heidenheim responded with determination. Around the midway point of the half, Christian Conteh’s delivery caused confusion and Eren Dinkçi, on loan from Freiburg, slotted home his first goal since rejoining Heidenheim last month.
3:3 – Schluss in Heidenheim.
In einem wilden Spiel auf dem Heidenheimer Schlossberg beweisen wir Moral und kommen nach zweimaligem Rückstand zurück.
Jetzt heißt es durchatmen und frisch in die neue Englische Woche zu starten.#VfB | #VfB1893 | #Bundesliga | #FCHVfB | [Anzeige]… pic.twitter.com/Shd9gWBDSn— VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) February 22, 2026
Stuttgart momentarily thought they’d retaken the lead through Ermedin Demirovic’s close-range effort, but VAR denied the goal, ultimately awarding Heidenheim a penalty following Maximilian Mittelstadt’s foul on Dinkçi earlier in the move. Arijon Ibrahimovic made no mistake from the spot, completing the hosts’ turnaround.
The back-and-forth continued as Stuttgart pressed for parity. Their persistence paid off when C. Conteh brought down Chema Andres in the Heidenheim box, conceding a penalty. Mittelstadt, recovering from his earlier mistake, calmly converted to send the teams level at the interval.
Second Half: VAR Intervenes, Late Goals Decide Fate
The tempo remained high after the restart, albeit with fewer clear chances. Alexander Nubel was called into action with a full-stretch save to deny Ibrahimovic in the 50th minute.
As the match entered the final quarter-hour, Demirovic thought he’d given Stuttgart the advantage when he headed in from Angelo Stiller’s free-kick. However, VAR ruled him offside once again, frustrating the visitors’ efforts. Heidenheim then looked to seize the result in dramatic fashion when substitute Sirlord Conteh finished at the far post after Ibrahimovic’s charge and Nubel’s initial save, sending home supporters into celebration.
Yet the contest had one more twist. Deniz Undav, already Stuttgart’s leading Bundesliga scorer, struck a superb effort into the bottom corner for his 13th of the season, ensuring both sides shared the spoils in this six-goal affair.
Implications for Both Clubs
Heidenheim’s draw moved them within six points of safety, breathing life into their bid to avoid relegation. Stuttgart, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to make up ground on UEFA Champions League positions after RB Leipzig’s draw with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday left the race for the top four finely poised.
