Heidenheim stuns Stuttgart with an insane winner
Stuttgart suffered its second straight derby loss in the Bundesliga, losing more ground on the leaders after a shock 2-0 defeat away at lowly local rival FC Heidenheim which ended in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Heidenheim striker Tim Kleindienst sealed the victory with a stunning strike from the centre circle – the last kick of the match – the goal coming just minutes after Stuttgart had hit the bar and seen a chance cleared off the line to make it 1-1.
Stuttgart, arguably the surprise package of this season with seven wins from its first eight games, also missed a penalty early in the second half when Silas Katompa Mvumpa sent the ball into row Z after Waldemar Anton had been fouled in the box.
It would be Heidenheim that broke the deadlock when Jan Schoeppner powered home a header on 70 minutes.
The visitors increased the pressure late in the game, Luca Raimund hitting the bar before Jamie Leweling had a header cleared off the line.
Kleindienst pounced soon after as Heidenheim broke from deep, lobbing goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel from almost 50 metres out to seal the win.
Stuttgart remains third on the table, but is now seven points behind league leader Bayer Leverkusen and five behind champion Bayern Munich in second, bothing having won their matches this weekend.
Heidenheim had 13 shots on goal and hit the woodwork twice in the first half, while Stuttgart almost took the lead when Angelo Stiller grazed the bar with an elegant free-kick.
