Lifeline for Heidenheim with last-gasp win in Stuttgart | OneFootball

Heidenheim stun VfB Stuttgart with late Mathias Honsak strike

Heidenheim secured a potentially vital 1-0 away win against VfB Stuttgart with a late goal from Mathias Honsak in the Matchday 31 opener, boosting their Bundesliga survival hopes.

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VfB Stuttgart 0-1 Heidenheim Goal: 0-1 Honsak 89' (assist: Schöppner)

In a match crucial for both teams' aspirations, VfB Stuttgart hosted Heidenheim at the MHP Arena. The home side, looking to boost their European qualification hopes, faced a Heidenheim team desperate for points in their battle against relegation. With both sides needing a result, the stage was set for an intense encounter.

Kevin Müller makes a crucial save for Heidenheim, keeping Stuttgart at bay. (IMAGO/Volker Mueller)

Tactical stalemate

The first half was a cagey affair, with Stuttgart dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Heidenheim defence.

Kevin Müller in the Heidenheim goal was called into action early, making a crucial save from Ermedin Demirović in the 30th minute. The visitors, while content to sit back, showed flashes of danger on the counter-attack, with Adrian Beck coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Nick Woltemade of Stuttgart challenges for the ball against Heidenheim defenders. (IMAGO/Volker Mueller)

Stuttgart press, Heidenheim resist

The second half saw Stuttgart increase the pressure on Heidenheim's goal. Sebastian Hoeneß made attacking changes, bringing on Nick Woltemade for Leonidas Stergiou in the 53rd minute, followed by Jamie Leweling replacing Fabian Rieder in the 70th minute.

The substitutions nearly paid off as Stuttgart twice hit the woodwork in quick succession. In the 81st minute, Woltemade's clever chip beat Müller but struck the crossbar. Just three minutes later, Deniz Undav's header from a corner hit the post, leaving the home fans in disbelief.

Benedikt Gimber of Heidenheim challenges Deniz Undav of Stuttgart. (Christian Kaspar-Bartke)

Honsak's heroics

Just as it seemed the match was heading for a goalless draw, Heidenheim struck a devastating blow to Stuttgart's hopes. In the 89th minute, substitute Honsak, who had come on for Marvin Pieringer in the 79th minute, received the ball on the edge of the area, cut inside, and curled a beautiful shot beyond Alexander Nübel into the far corner.

he goal, coming against the run of play, stunned the home crowd and sent the Heidenheim bench into raptures. Despite four minutes of added time, Stuttgart couldn't find an equaliser, and Heidenheim held on for a crucial 1-0 victory.

Player of the Match: Kevin Müller

While Honsak's late strike secured the win, Heidenheim goalkeeper Müller was instrumental in keeping his team in the game. Müller made several crucial saves throughout the match, most notably denying Demirović in the first half and commanding his area with confidence as Stuttgart piled on the pressure.

His performance was a masterclass in goalkeeping under pressure, providing the foundation for Heidenheim's smash-and-grab victory.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Stuttgart 2.1 - Heidenheim 0.44Fastest player: Fabian Rieder (Stuttgart), 32.77 km/hLowest goal probability: 0-1 by Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim), 4 percentMost pressed player: Chris Führich (Stuttgart), 21 times under pressurePass efficiency: Angelo Stiller (VFB), +4.05

Fantasy Heroes: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart, 258 points), Jeff Chabot (Stuttgart, 221 points), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart, 176 points)

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