Nartey strikes late as Stuttgart sink Frankfurt in five-goal thriller
| Photo: Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images. |
VfB Stuttgart's first home game of 2026 pitted them against a new-look Eintracht Frankfurt side after some winter recruitment in attack. The MHP Arena was treated to a five-goal thriller which the hosts edged 3-2 late on.
This fixture - known for averaging a little over 3 goals per game - required five minutes for it to burst to life. Ritsu Dōan's corner delivery to the front post, flicked goalwards by the head of Rasmus Kristensen, looped over Alexander Nübel.
Frankfurt were dealt a bit of a double blow thereafter as winter signing Younes Ebnoutalib picked up an injury before Bahoya replaced him. Shortly before the half-hour point, the Hessen club surrendered their lead.
Kaua Santos, known for his lively goal-mouth antics, failed to gather a Mittelstädt corner as Ermedin Demirovic pounced on the error. In a flash, Stuttgart went 2-1 in front as Deniz Undav's deflected effort crept inside the post.
Frankfurt's Brazilian goalkeeper cut a nervy figure thereafter. He and Theate almost led to a second mix-up before the break but Vagnoman couldn't capitalize. Just before the break, Jeff Chabot rattled the side-netting.
The game's end-to-end pattern continued into the second-half as Undav and Dōan tried their luck. Nearing the hour, Führich curled wide while Frankfurt's Ansgar Knauff watched his sweetly struck volley crash off the crossbar.
Kaua Santos' next involvement would be a positive one as he smothered a close-range Undav strike. Both sides made changes with around 15 minutes remaining, one of which was Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab.
The Moroccan youngster - who joined from TSG Hoffenheim's youth setup in winter - slotted home for 2-2 on the end of a wonderful move involving one-touch play down the left with Theate and Mo Dahoud.
However, there was time for a twist in this tale late on. The hosts carved out a final opportunity as Undav slipped in Vagnoman on the right to square for Nikolas Nartey to tap in, while late heroics from Nübel ensured a 3-2 win.
