Undav snatches last-gasp leveller for Stuttgart
Denis Undav's last-gasp leveller salvaged a 3-3 draw for Stuttgart against Heidenheim, who thought it had completed a remarkable turnaround moments earlier in their Bundesliga clash.
Undav's 98th-minute equaliser kept Stuttgart four points clear of fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund as Sebastian Hoeness' side continues to chase UEFA Champions League qualification.
Hoeness’s hosts appeared to be cruising after Serhou Guirassy and Angelo Stiller were both on target in either half at MHPArena but home goalkeeper Alexander Nubel's own goal laid the foundations for late drama.
Tim Kleindienst capitalised with two quickfire strikes to snatch an unlikely Heidenheim lead with five minutes remaining, yet Undav provided the last twist to snatch a share of the spoils.
Stuttgart thought it had managed an eighth-minute opener when Guirassy powered home from the edge of the penalty area after Undaz’s offload, but a VAR check ruled the strike out for offside.
Undav's threaded pass then found Chris Fuhrich but his driven effort was saved well by Kevin Muller, who would be left helpless as the hosts found a breakthrough before the interval.
Guirassy arrived in the perfect position to convert a delivery from Stiller, who placed the ball on a plate for the 41st-minute opener.
Stuttgart doubled its lead after the break as Stiller played a smart one-two with Undav, before the German midfielder slotted the ball under Muller.
Heidenheim was gifted a glimmer of hope as Nubel made an inexplicable mistake when failing to hold Kleindienst’s header and the visiting striker would further punish the hosts.
Kleindienst fired home a volley from a Jan-Niklas Beste cross in the 84th minute, before powering a header past Nubel from Eren Dinkci's centre just moments later.
Yet with just seconds remaining, Undav pounced inside the box to unleash a thunderous shot into the bottom corner, salvaging a late point for the hosts.