Success against Mainz
Stuttgart continues to win: DFB star decides game
Updated 10/26/2025 – 7:50 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Swabians prevailed in a hard-fought game against FSV and exacerbated the 05er’s crisis. A national player returns with a goal.
VfB Stuttgart is now third in the Bundesliga. At the end of the 8th matchday on Sunday evening, the Swabians won 2-1 (1-1) against FSV Mainz 05 and thus celebrated their fifth league win in a row.
Chris Führich (45th + 4) and Deniz Undav (80th) scored against Mainz, who had taken the lead thanks to a hand penalty from Nadiem Amiri (41st). The game was temporarily overshadowed by a medical emergency in the stands: both fan camps stopped supporting for more than 20 minutes in the first half before Mainz announced via
Stuttgart has now pushed Borussia Dortmund (17) into fourth place with 18 points. The FSV, on the other hand, remains in 16th place after their fourth league defeat in a row. The two teams will face each other again in the second round of the cup on Wednesday (from 6 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) – but this time in Mainz.
VfB took command from the start, while the guests relied on a quick transition game and deep runs. Things didn’t become dangerous on either side until the 14th minute. That only changed with a tricky header from Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling towards the returnee Robin Zentner, who with some effort cleared it for a corner.
VfB increased the number of hits. The ball found its way to Undav via a detour, but he couldn’t find a way past Zentner from close range. In this phase the chants from the curve fell silent. Only after the stadium announcer announced the first information did applause erupt. However, this was quickly drowned out by a shrill concert of whistles.
Almost unnoticed, referee Felix Zwayer ran to the sidelines to examine the TV images, only to award a hand penalty a short time later. Chema Andrés was unfortunate in getting the ball on his arm. Amiri didn’t miss the chance and took the lead. The game picked up speed again before the break and Führich brought the score level with a fantastic shot.
The DFB Cup winners picked up the momentum after scoring a late equalizer in the first half. Pascal Stenzel tested the hundredweight who was well in front of his goal (48th), who made a decent comeback.
But the Rhenish Hessians also ventured forward from time to time. VfB keeper Alexander Nübel had to play against Danny da Costa and Stefan Bell (55th/66th). Then a long ball from the VfB keeper slipped through to Undav, who ran alone towards the Mainz goal. The national player, who had been rather unlucky until then, coolly lobbed home the winning goal. Nikolas Veratschnig missed the great chance to equalize with his header in stoppage time (90th + 1).