Heidenheim Holds Stuttgart to 3-3 Draw, Boosts Survival Hopes

Heidenheim's six-game winless streak continues 

Stuttgart's Deniz Undav scores late equalizer in 3-3 draw at Heidenheim, keeping Bundesliga basement side's survival hopes alive.

A battling draw gives Heidenheim hope of avoiding relegation, moving them to within six points of safety...

Stuttgart's Champions League hopes got a boost as they rescued a draw at struggling Heidenheim. Deniz Undav scored late on to secure a 3-3 draw for VfB Stuttgart, who are chasing a UEFA Champions League spot.

Heidenheim, rock-bottom in the Bundesliga, had shown flashes of firepower before the break. The hosts and Stuttgart traded goals, with the sides scoring twice apiece in a chaotic first half at the Voith-Arena.

Stuttgart carried a threat from the off, with Chris Fuhrich seizing his chance to charge through a gaping hole in Heidenheim’s defence before calmly slotting past Diant Ramaj after just five minutes.

However, the home side rallied, and after Christian Conteh’s cross deflected kindly to Eren Dinkçi shortly before the midway point of the half, the Freiburg loanee confidently steered home for his first goal since rejoining the hosts temporarily last month.

In response, Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic finished well from close range, but his goal was eventually ruled out - instead, a lengthy VAR review led to a penalty at the other end following Maximilian Mittelstadt's foul on Dinkci to start the attack.

From the subsequent spot-kick, Arijon Ibrahimovic made no mistake to complete the turnaround.

Stuttgart responded strongly, earning a penalty when C. Conteh fouled Chema Andres inside Heidenheim's box. Maximilian Mittelstadt redeemed himself with a precise penalty kick, hitting the bottom corner and setting the stage for an exciting second half.

Stuttgart thought they had snatched the win with Ermedin Demirovic's goal, but VAR ruled it offside, denying them the three points. Demirovic had nodded home Angelo Stiller's floated free-kick with just over 15 minutes left to play.

Heidenheim then took the lead again, thanks to a three-on-one move initiated by Arijon Ibrahimovic. Although Stuttgart's goalkeeper Nubel saved Ibrahimovic's attempt, substitute Sirlord Conteh poked the ball in at the back post, sending the home crowd into raptures.

⏹️ Full-time! VfB show great spirit to fight back and take a point in Heidenheim at the end of a thrilling match. #VfB | #FCHVfB | 3-3 pic.twitter.com/0TwUZViLHc

— VfB Stuttgart_int (@VfB_int) February 22, 2026

Deniz Undav was the hero for Stuttgart, scoring his 13th Bundesliga goal of the season with a fierce drive into the bottom corner. Undav, already Stuttgart's top scorer, rescued a point for his side.

A battling draw gives Heidenheim hope of avoiding relegation, moving them to within six points of safety. Stuttgart's Champions League hopes took a hit, though, as they failed to capitalize on RB Leipzig's draw with Borussia Dortmund.