Bundesliga: Stuttgart Secure Champions League Spot Despite Late Frankfurt Draw

Frankfurt miss out on Europe as Stuttgart hold onto fourth place

Frankfurt finished eighth after a stuttering second half of the season, missing out on European qualification.

Goals from Chema Andres and Nikolas Nartey put Stuttgart 2-0 up before Frankfurt fought back for a 2-2 draw...

VfB Stuttgart secured a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League even though Eintracht Frankfurt held them to a 2-2 draw on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.

A thick cloud of smoke from flares in the stands at Deutsche Bank Park delayed kick-off by more than five minutes. Once play started, Eintracht quickly created a chance as Jean-Mattéo Bahoya forced Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel into a sharp one-handed save in the third minute.

Eintracht kept pressing soon after, and Ritsu Doan’s shot stung the palms of Bayern loanee Nubel.

The opening goal came at the other end in the 10th minute, though, when Chris Fuhrich delivered a perfectly weighted corner for Chema Andrrs to head home.

Going behind didn’t slow Albert Riera’s side, who had already scored 59 Bundesliga goals this season. Only Nubel’s skill stopped Can Uzun’s solo effort from finding the net.

Play paused briefly in front of goal, then resumed around the half-hour mark when Jeff Chabot headed straight at Michael Zetterer.

Stuttgart made sure they responded before half-time. Nikolas Nartey scored with the last kick of the first half, following up his goal from January’s reserve fixture with an unstoppable finish in added time to make it 2-0.

Things were going Stuttgart’s way at the break, as their closest rivals for a Champions League spot, TSG Hoffenheim, were 2-0 down at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The visitors were slower to find their rhythm in the second half. Zetterer didn’t have to make a save until the 59th minute, when he dealt with Andrés’ header.

Fares Chaibi then tried his luck, but his powerful strike was tipped away by Nübel’s outstretched hand at the near post.

Nubel’s good work undid itself in the 71st minute. He gave away a needless penalty for a foul on Jonathan Burkardt while trying to regain control after dropping a routine cross.

Eintracht’s substitute stepped up and converted the penalty a minute later, setting up a tense finish.

Egal, völlig egal! Platz vier in der Tabelle!
Wir sind zurück in der UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
MÄNNER, IHR SEID EINFACH WAHNSINNIG!#VfB | #VfB1893 | #Bundesliga | #SGEVfB 2:2 (90.) | [Anzeige] Rewe pic.twitter.com/ilfQCV1BCh

— VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) May 16, 2026

For the rest of the afternoon Stuttgart seemed to rely on attack as their best form of defence, and Jamie Leweling forced Zetterer into an excellent save.

There was late drama at Deutsche Bank Park when Andres handled the ball in the 91st minute. Burkardt stepped up again and scored from the spot to earn Eintracht a point.

The late draw meant Stuttgart missed out on a seventh away win of the season, but Hoffenheim’s heavy defeat was enough for the Reds to hold onto fourth place.

Frankfurt’s form has been inconsistent since the New Year, and it cost them in the end. The Eagles finished eighth and will not play in Europe next season.