There was a huge sense of relief inside the MHP Arena after Bilal El Khannouss nodded VfB Stuttgart in front against Feyenoord. - © Alexander Hassenstein

bundesliga

Stuttgart back to winning ways in the UEFA Europa League with late win over Feyenoord

06.11.2025

VfB Stuttgart managed to bounce back from UEFA Europa League defeats to Basel and Fenerbahçe with a dramatic late win over Robin van Persie's Feyenoord thanks to goals from Bilal El Khannouss and Deniz Undav.

Stuttgart 2-0 Feyenoord
Goals: 1-0 El Khannouss 84’, 2-0 Undav 90‘+1

There were nerves around the ground as Stuttgart were held to a first-half stalemate against their Dutch opponents, given that they had suffered back-to-back defeats without scoring on Matchdays 2 and 3.

Feyenoord started the better of the sides, with stand-in captain Anis Hadj Moussa causing the most problems and posing the game's biggest goal threat.

Stuttgart continued to struggle to break down a well-organised Feyenoord defence in the second half, until a pinpoint cross from Lorenz Assignon was met by the head of El Khannouss inside the box, the No.11 guiding the header in off the underside of the bar.

Undav secured the three points minutes later, rounding off a clinical counter-attack courtesy of an unselfish assist from Chris Führich.

Victory saw the Swabians climb to 20th in the league-phase table on six points. They're next in action on 27 November when they travel to the Netherlands to take on Go Ahead Eagles.

See Stuttgart's Europa League fixtures here

Recap the action against Feyenoord below...

2 - 0

(0 - 0)

Stuttgart

FINAL

Feyenoord

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 MHP Arena

Full-time: Stuttgart 2-0 Feyenoord

Stuttgart are back to winning ways on the continent thanks to a late double from El Khannouss and Undav. Despite making offensive changes at half-time, the second half began much like the first, with Stuttgart struggling to break down a well-organised Feyenoord defence. But there was a real sense of relief when Assignon's cross was headed home by El Khannouss, before Undav sealed the win minutes later.

Full-time

90'

+ 1

Undav wraps things up!

With Feyenoord committing numbers forward in pursuit of a leveller, the opportunity for a counter-attack opened up for Stuttgart. Leweling plays Führich through to the byline, who supplies a lovely reverse pass to Undav, allowing Stuttgart's captain to stroke home into an empty net from 12 yards.

90'

+ 1

Deniz Undav

GOAL!

2:0

90'

Stoppage time

Four additional minutes have been indicated.

89'

From distance

The ball drops for Nieuwkoop about 30 yards from goal. The substitute takes it on the half-volley, striking it well but failing to truly trouble Nübel.

89'

Chema penalised

The midfielder sees yellow for a clumsy challenge on Larin.

89'

Yellow card

Chema Andrés

86'

Final contribution

After claiming what may well be the winner, El Khannouss - alongside Tomás - departs the field to be replaced by Bouanani and Führich.

85'

Substitution

Chris Führich

Tiago Tomás

85'

Substitution

Badredine Bouanani

Bilal El Khannouss

84'

Yellow card

Bilal El Khannouss

84'

El Khannouss fires Stuttgart ahead!

The MHP Arena erupts! After a fantastic run from Assignon down the righ, the ball is whipped across to El Khannouss, who rises highest in the middle, his header clipping the underside of the bar on it's way in to make it 1-0.

84'

Bilal El Khannouss

GOAL!

1:0

82'

Straight at Nübel

From a free-kick from a central position not far from goal, Smal's effort is gobbled up by the Stuttgart keeper, without any real difficulty.

82'

Substitution

Bart Nieuwkoop

Luciano Valente

80'

Double change

Hoeneß makes another two substitutions, bringing on Zagadou for the injured Chabot, and former Feyenoord man Hendriks on for Mittelstädt.

80'

Substitution

Dan-Axel Zagadou

Jeff Chabot

80'

Substitution

Ramon Hendriks

Maximilian Mittelstädt

78'

Larin's effort blocked

Read leads the Feyenoord charge before teeing up Larin on the edge of the box, whose curling effort is blocked behind for a corner. Hadj Moussa takes, but the referee blows for a Stuttgart free-kick for an infringement in the box.

74'

Sauer takes the corner

The recently-introduced substitute fires in a corner from the left for Feyenoord, but only finds the head of Jeltsch, who nods it to safety.

72'

Substitution

Leo Sauer

Gonçalo Borges

70'

Side netting

The chances are picking up for Stuttgart now. This time, Tomás is sent into the box with a ball from out wide, but his shot from a tight angle only lands in the side netting at the near post.

69'

Golden chance!

A beautiful move from Stuttgart sees Assignon, Stiller and Chema combine in triangles down the right. The latter slips Undav through one-on-one with a lovely defence-splitting pass, but the Stuttgart captain can only fire straight at Wellenreuther. Stuttgart then manage to rework it to Leweling with a cross to the far post, but the winger's header is wide.

68'

Yellow card

Gijs Smal

Something of a theme

Both sides have had plenty of good opportunities from free-kicks in good positions. However, the takers on both sides have relatively consistently managed to fire them straight at the wall.

65'

El Khannouss!

From the resultant set-piece, Undav plays it short to El Khannouss, who strikes from the edge of the box, his powerful effort being fired straight into the wall.

64'

Timber booked

The midfielder fouls Stiller from behind around 25 yards from his own goal and is rightfully shown a yellow card.

64'

Yellow card

Quentin Timber

62'

Flashed wide

Hadj Moussa whips a delightful cross in from the right, finding Ueda's head inside the Stuttgart box, but the Japanese international's header is just wide of the right post.

58'

Stiller takes

The No.6 floats a cross in from the set-piece. It's headed down to Chema, who tees up El Khannouss on the edge of the box, but the No.11's strike is beaten away by Wellenreuther for a corner, upon which Stuttgart don't manage to capitalise.

57'

Read booked

After conceding a free-kick right outside their own box for a handball against Mittelstädt, Stuttgart immediately counterattack and El Khannouss is played in behind the Feyenoord backline before being fouled from behind by Read. The VAR had checked and cleared a possible red card, but Stuttgart are incredulous.

57'

Yellow card

Givairo Read

54'

Floated in by Leweling

The substitute goes on a mazy run down the left flank before hanging a ball up into the box, in search of the arriving Chema. However, goalkeeper Wellenreuther claims the high cross before being flattened by the onrushing midfielder, to earn the visitors a free-kick inside their own box.

53'

Poked across goal

Tomás dances past his marker down the right flank, getting to the byline before trying to hit a cross on the half volley into the danger area, which Feyenoord clear.

51'

Shot blocked

Ahmedhodžić drives up from the back for Feyenoord before slipping Ueda into the Stuttgart box. However, the forward's lashed effort takes a meaty deflection behind for a corner, which Nübel eventually claims.

46'

Back underway!

It's Stuttgart who get the ball rolling for the second half here. Hoeneß makes one change at half-time, bringing Leweling on for Vagnoman as he looks to inject more attacking impetus into his side.

Kick-off!

46'

Substitution

Jamie Leweling

Josha Vagnoman

Half-time: Stuttgart 0-0 Feyenoord

So, both sides head in level at the break. Feyenoord started the brighter of the two sides, but Stuttgart grew as the half went on. The visitors' captain has come the closest of any player to breaking the deadlock here, though Stuttgart have had no trouble fashioning chances of their own. Sebastian Hoeneß may well feel his side have played well in two thirds of the pitch, but all too often the final pass or finish has been lacking in quality.

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Late drama

With one ball up from the back, Hadj Moussa is played through the heart of the Stuttgart defence and through on goal. He's brought down by Mittelstädt, who is shown only a yellow card, for Jeltsch was also covering. The VAR has checked and cleared whether that should be upgraded. Ultimately, Hadj Moussa takes the free-kick, again firing it straight into the wall.

45'

+ 1

Yellow card

Maximilian Mittelstädt

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

One additional minute has been indicated.

One for the highlight reel

Tomás' scintillating piece of skill totally dumbfounded Watanabe, but unfortunately for Stuttgart, didn't lead to a goal.

42'

In by Stiller

The No.6 curls a corner in towards the near post but can't find any takers in the middle.

41'

Miscontrolled

Chema threads a pass between the Feyenoord defensive lines to find Vagnoman on the edge of the box. However, the defender, in trying to spin his marker, loses control of the ball and the visitors can clear.

38'

Tempo quickening

The speed of exchanges has picked up in the last few minutes and the game is being played fairly end-to-end here. Will we find an opener before half-time here?

35'

Cutback intercepted

Timber does well down the right for Feyenoord before trying to pick out Hadj Moussa at the penalty spot. However, a Stuttgart leg is put in to make a vital interception before clearing the danger.

33'

Sensational from Tomás

El Khannouss retrieves a loose ball before backheeling it into the path of the Portuguese winger. Tomás gets the opportunity to show off his dancing feet, leaving Watanabe for dead with a nutmeg, before being brought down for a foul right on the edge of the box. From the set-piece, the initial ball is cleared to Mittelstädt, whose follow-up effort from outside the box is wildly struck.

32'

Hadj Moussa goes into the book

The Feyenoord captain sees yellow for kicking the ball away after the referee had blown for a stoppage.

32'

Yellow card

Anis Hadj Moussa

29'

Options either side

Vagnoman receives the ball out wide on the left. With options either side of him, he cuts inside and tries to fashion space for a shot from the edge of the box, but is dispossessed before such space can materialise for the No.4.

One to watch

Feyenoord's Hadj Moussa has looked the most likely player on either side to make something happen here. The stand-in captain most recently beat Mittelstädt down the right, before being shown up a blind alley and losing possession for the visitors.

25'

Borges draws the foul

The winger is brought down by Assignon down Feyenoord's left, not far outside the box. As ever, it's Hadj Moussa who takes, but his delivery is punched clear by Nübel.

23'

First yellow

Chabot is sold short with a backpass and is late in on a challenge on Ueda, consequently being awarded the first yellow card of the game.

23'

Yellow card

Jeff Chabot

21'

Stuttgart countering, Feyenoord in control

The visitors are looking very comfortable on the ball, though they're still struggling for clear-cut chances. By contrast, Stuttgart are primarily looking to punish the Dutch side on the counter. Most recently, El Khannouss linked up well with Tomás, whose cross from the right finds no takers in the middle.

17'

Undav goes down

A Mittelstädt cross comes into the Feyenoord box, aimed towards Undav. The centre-forward takes a tumble before he can connect with the header and Stuttgart players and fans alike scream for a penalty, but the referee firmly dismisses the protests right away.

Battling hard

The Stuttgart defence have been put under pressure in the opening stages but are holding firm so far, due in part to the efforts of their defensive leader, Chabot.

14'

Nübel in the way

Feyenoord carve Stuttgart open with a direct counter-attack. Hadj Moussa turns Mittelstädt inside out before shooting towards the near post from inside the penalty area, but Nübel is equal to the effort. Best chance of the game for either side so far that...

13'

Well over

A long ball up from the back finds Vagnoman high up the left flank. The No.4 touches it down for Undav, for whom a chance for a shot opens up, but Stuttgart's captain blazes it over the bar.

Another set-piece

Hadj Moussa has another free-kick from the right half-space for the visitors. From further out this time, he floats a cross in, but a Stuttgart head is first to the ball to clear.

Roof of the net

Stuttgart's first meaningful attack of the game sees Stiller float a cross from the left side of the box onto Undav's head. However, the Stuttgart captain gets underneath the ball and his header is always rising, as it travels over Wellenreuther between the sticks, and lands atop the goal.

Tricky cross

Hadj Moussa beats Mittelstädt down Feyenoord's right before attempting a cross, which nearly sneaks in at the near post, had Nübel not been alert to the danger.

Early free-kick

Almost immediately, Vagnoman fouls a Feyenoord attacker right on the edge of his own box. The visitors scream for a penalty, but the referee correctly awards a free-kick. Hadj Moussa takes it from the right, firing it straight into the wall.

And we're off!

It's the Dutch visitors who get us underway here.

Kick-off!

Pitch inspection complete

The players have had a chance to examine tonight's turf and are beginning their warm-up routines. Kick-off's not far behind...

More on those sides

Four changes are made by Sebastian Hoeneß to the starting XI he fielded in the 3-1 weekend defeat to Leipzig. Jeltsch, Chema, Assignon and Tomás replace Hendriks, Karazor, Jaquez and Führich. Likewise there are two changes made by Feyenoord from their 3-1 weekend victory. Larin and Borges come in for Steijn and Sauer.

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel – Jeltsch, Vagnoman, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Chema, Stiller – Assignon, El Khannouss, Tomás – Undav (c)

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Hellstern, Hendriks, Führich, Karazor, Leweling, Zagadou, Bouanani, Nartey, Ćatović, Jovanović, Jaquez

Feyenoord starting XI

Wellenreuther – Read, Ahmedhodžić, Watanabe, Smal – Timber, Larin, Valente – Moussa (c), Ueda, Borges

Feyenoord subs

Berger, Bossin, Nieuwkoop, Sauer, Tengstedt, Diarra, Lotomba, Sliti, Plug, Van den Elshout, Kraaijeveld

El Khannouss in form

Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss has made a solid start to life at the club since joining on loan in the summer, the 21 year old attacking midfielder racking up three goal involvements in his seven Bundesliga appearances so far. The Morocco international promised there was even more to come with the Swabians. “I think I have made a good start," he explained. "I can improve in a lot of parts of the game, but I think I have adapted very well to the competition, to the country, to the people and to the club."

2:32

It's game day!

The city of Stuttgart is buzzing on match day once more as the MHPArena gets set to host this evening's UEFA Europa League encounter. Take a quick tour through the city and stadium as we count down to kick-off.

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Feyenoord

“Feyenoord are currently number one in the Netherlands. They like to have possession and often play in the typical Dutch 4-3-3 system. They press high, win a lot of balls and can create danger in front of goal with real purpose.”

Robin van Persie on facing Stuttgart

"We want to win every match, but we also know we're playing against a very good opponent. We've analysed Stuttgart and I think they're a very dynamic team with an intense and fast style of play. We're really facing a big test tomorrow night."

Insider tips

Stuttgart's Ramon Hendriks (R) moved to the club from Feyenoord just one and a half years ago, and the Stuttgart team will be hoping he can provide a few useful tips ahead of Thursday's game. In his pre-match press conference, Hoeneß revealed he had even spoken to Hendriks about the game. “We talked about Feyenoord but we know that a lot has changed there since he left,” said Hoeneß.

A frequent fixture

Although the two sides haven't met since 2000, Feyenoord are actually Stuttgart's most faced opposition in European football. The two sides have met eight times in total, with both sides winning three times.

Nübel positive

VfB were beaten by RB Leipzig at the weekend but responding to that setback, goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was looking to take the positives. "Despite the defeat, we feel like we’re on the right track and that we’re still in good form," the custodian explained. "We’ll go into our coming games with a lot of ambition.”

2:03

Home comforts

Thursday's hosts can look back to Matchday 8 of the Bundesliga for their most recent home success. Then, Deniz Undav's return to the starting line-up following an injury helped to fire Stuttgart to maximum points.

In need of a lift

The Swabians could do with a favourable result at the MHPArena this week. Having begun their campaign in fine fashion with a 2-1 win against Celta Vigo, Sebastian Hoeneß's men were subsequently beaten by Basel and Fenerbahçe. As a consequence, VfB find themselves in 29th place in the standings going into Matchday 4.

Fond memories

Stuttgart came out on top in their most recent meeting with Feyenoord back in 2000/01, winning 4-3 on aggregate in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup (2-2 away, 2-1 home).

Stuttgart's string-puller

Only Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson (11) has created more chances in this season's UEFA Europa League than Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller (10), while only Freiburg's Johan Manzambi (25) has won possession more often than the Germany midfielder (23).

Welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Stuttgart's Europa League encounter with Feyenoord on Matchday 4 of the league phase, which kicks off at 9pm CET on Thursday.