Stuttgart Complete League Double Over Leverkusen, Go Third Heading Into Final Day

Stuttgart beat Leverkusen

Stuttgart recorded a second 3-1 win over Leverkusen this season, putting them in the driving seat for Champions League qualification with one game left.

.After falling behind early to Aleix Garcia, Stuttgart responded through Ermedin Demirovic, Mittelstadt’s penalty and Undav to beat Leverkusen 3-1 and end a three-game winless run...

VfB Stuttgart snapped a three-game winless streak in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the MHPArena. The result moved them past Leverkusen into fourth and put them in control of the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

It was a lively start, with both sides scoring inside the opening five minutes. Aleix Garcia opened for Leverkusen, finishing at the near post after Christian Kofane set him up on a quick counter.

Stuttgart answered right back. Ermedin Demirovic, the hosts’ main threat all night, linked up with Nikolas Nartey for a quick one-two before slotting his 15th goal of the season into the far corner. The strike not only lifted Stuttgart immediately but also extended Demirovic’s scoring run to three games in a row.

 

With so much on the line, both teams kept pushing forward, and the keepers were tested in quick succession. Alexander Nübel denied Ibrahim Maza’s volley later in the first half.

Mark Flekken then tipped away Chris Führich’s cross-shot, and when Ermedin Demirovic pounced on the rebound, Edmond Tapsoba made a crucial block to keep it out.

Demirovic kept tormenting Leverkusen’s back line and earned a penalty right before halftime after Tapsoba brought him down in the box. Maximilian Mittelstadt stepped up and calmly converted to put Stuttgart ahead.

JAAAAAA! SO, SO, SO WICHTIG!
Mit einer herausragenden Leistung schlagen wir im letzten Heimspiel der Saison Bayer 04 Leverkusen verdient mit 3:1.
Vor dem letzten Spieltag stehen wir auf Rang vier der Tabelle und haben im Kampf um die UEFA Champions League alles in eigener Hand.… pic.twitter.com/rZX59HjTLx

— VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) May 9, 2026

The timing of that penalty proved crucial, and Stuttgart capitalized right after halftime. They thought they had a third when Demirovic tapped in after Flekken spilled Deniz Undav’s initial shot, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Flekken stayed busy, first denying Angelo Stiller’s effort and then tipping Jeff Chabot’s header from a corner over the bar.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, are now in pole position for a top-four finish. They also completed a league double over Leverkusen - a statement result considering they had beaten them just once in 29 meetings before this season, with 8 draws and 20 losses.