Dramatic 3–3 draw

Match summary

It was a hard-fought and physical contest from the start at the PreZero Arena, and the home side took the lead with their first opportunity.

Early deficit

From a throw-in, the VfB defence failed to deal with the situation properly and the ball slipped through to Andrej Kramaric, who netted the opening goal for Hoffenheim from close range.

Ideal response

VfB came up with the perfect response to going behind and made it 1-1 on 20 minutes. After a one-two with Ramon Hendriks, Chris Führich beat Oliver Baumann at his near post from a tight angle.

Touré restores TSG lead

However, the celebrations didn’t last long for Sebastian Hoeneß’s side: Atakan Karazor cleared a corner kick straight to the feet of Bazoumana Touré, who left Alexander Nübel with no chance with a low shot into the right corner. That was the last action of note in the first half, which ended with VfB 2-1 behind.

Caught out by Kramaric

In the 49th minute, Hoffenheim beat the VfB press and Touré crossed low into the middle for Kramaric, who fired past Nübel from seven metres to make it 3-1 to the hosts.

Demirovic pulls one back

However, with 64 minutes gone, Kramaric conceded possession and Stuttgart took full advantage. Führich passed to Jamie Leweling, who set it up perfectly for substitute Ermedin Demirovic to poke in from close range and reduce the deficit.

Karazor sees red – Tomas equalises

Five minutes later, Karazor was shown a straight red card after catching Fisnik Asllani late. However, the ten men of VfB didn’t give up and levelled the score in the sixth minute of stoppage time through substitute Tiago Tomas, earning the Cannstatt Boys a vital point that keeps them just above TSG in fourth. 

Goals

7th minute: VfB fail to deal with a throw-in properly and the ball reaches Kramaric, who puts Hoffenheim in front from close range.

20th minute: Führich plays a neat one-two with Hendriks before firing past Baumann into the near corner from a tight angle.

24th minute: A Hoffenheim corner is only cleared as far as Touré. The Ivorian hits it first-time into the far corner of the net, leaving Nübel no chance. 

49th minute: Hoffenheim hit on the counter as Touré delivers from the left to Kramaric, who finds the net from around seven metres.

64th minute: VfB break quickly after Kramaric gives the ball away, with Leweling playing the ball to Demirovic at the far post, where the striker is able to turn it in from close range.

96th minute: Baumann parries a shot from Angelo Stiller but is powerless to stop the rebound from Tomas.