Chema Andrés snatches late winner for Stuttgart in crazy UEFA Europa League game against Young Boys

Spanish midfield starlet Chema Andrés snatched a 90th-minute winner for Stuttgart to see off Young Boys on the final league-phase matchday of the UEFA Europa League, earning the Swabians an 11th-place finish and sending them seeded into the play-offs ahead of the round of 16.

Stuttgart 3-2 Young Boys
Goals: 1-0 Undav 6’ (assist: Assignon), 2-0 Demirović 7’ (assist: Undav), 2-1 Gigović 42’, 2-2 Lauper 57' (assist: Fernandes), 3-2 Chema 90' (assist: Leweling)

Stuttgart bounced back from Matchday 7 defeat against Roma in emphatic style, downing Swiss outfit at home to see out their league phase campaign.

The Swabians got off to a lightning-fast start, stand-in captain Undav breaking the deadlock after just six minutes before teeing up Demirović not 60 seconds later. However, a sumptuous strike from Holstein Kiel loanee Armin Gigović just before the break laid the foundations for an enthralling second half.

Sandro Lauper restored parity for the visitors not long after the restart with a glorious volley on the end of a corner. As the half went on, it looked increasingly likely that it wouldn't be Stuttgart's day, until substitute Jamie Leweling picked out Chema with a delightful low cross, allowing the young midfielder to smash home a 90th-minute winner. 

Chema snuck in unnoticed at the far post to net the decisive late winner. - Alex Grimm

Victory hands the Swabians an 11th-place finish in the league phase table, meaning they get a seeded place in the play-offs for the round of 16. They will face either Bulgarian side Lugorets Razgrad, or Scottish outfit Celtic.

As it happened!

3 - 2

(2 - 1)

Stuttgart

FINAL

Young Boys

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 8 League phase, Matchday 8 MHP Arena

Full-time: Stuttgart 3-2 Young Boys

A crazy end to a crazy game sees Stuttgart claim three points at the death. Young Boys gave a much improved account of themselves in the second half, drawing level through Lauper's rocket early on. Both sides had chance after chance to go ahead, with both goals living charmed lives. That was until Leweling slid in Chema at the far post in the final minute of normal time to win it for the Swabians.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

90'

+ 5

Yellow card

Atakan Karazor

Full-time

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

Three additional minutes have been indicated.

90'

Chema with surely the winner!

What late drama here! Stuttgart counterattack once again, with El Khannouss playing in Leweling down the left flank. The winger drills a perfect low cross in towards the far post where Chema is arriving, to smash home with his first touch. 3-2 Stuttgart!

90'

Chema Andrés

GOAL!

3:2

88'

Substitution

Josha Vagnoman

Lorenz Assignon

87'

End to end

This last 10 minutes have been played like a basketball game, with both sides going hell for leather up and down the pitch in pursuit of a winner. Córdova just squandered another chance for Young Boys, before Bouanani curled an effort a fraction wide of the left post.

84'

Huge chance to take the lead

Young Boys immediately look to counterattack. Some intricate play culminates in Córdova being found inside the penalty area, but the substitute scuffs his attempt, sending it trickling wide of the left post.

83'

No way through

Leweling cuts in off the left flank, but his low effort can't find a way through the sea of yellow-clad legs.

The goalscorer departs

Gigović, who started Young Boys' comeback, is withdrawn, alongside Fassnacht and Monteiro. Will the visitors' substitutes produce a late winner here?

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Edward Cheung

78'

Substitution

Dominik Pech

Armin Gigović

78'

Substitution

Daraian Males

Christian Fassnacht

78'

Substitution

Alan Virginius

Joel Monteiro

77'

Won't drop for him

Demirović just misses a cross from the right, but Karazor gets to the ball at the far post. However, the Stuttgart captain can’t get it on target.

76'

Shot blocked

Leweling spearheads a quick Stuttgart counter. He lays it out wide to Bouanani, who cuts in off the flank before beating multiple defenders and letting a shot fly from inside the box. His effort is deflected behind for a corner, though, but Stuttgart can't convert the set-piece.

74'

Narrowly wide

At the far post, Demirović gets his head to a free-kick delivery from the right but can only steer the ball agonisingly wide.

Some hit

Lauper's stunning volley brought Young Boys level early in the second half, which is no less than the Swiss side's second-half performance has deserved.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

70'

Side netting

It's another good opportunity for Gigović, who lashes an effort goalwards from the left of the penalty area, rifling the ball into the side netting at the near post.

69'

Over

Sanches has the chance to shoot from just inside the Stuttgart box, but slips as he strikes, sending the ball flying just over the bar.

68'

Quadruple alteration

Sebastian Hoeneß makes a whopping four changes as he looks to help his side restore their advantage.

68'

Substitution

Bilal El Khannouss

Deniz Undav

68'

Substitution

Atakan Karazor

Angelo Stiller

68'

Substitution

Jamie Leweling

Chris Führich

67'

Substitution

Ramon Hendriks

Jeff Chabot

67'

In by Stiller

The No.6 delivers a corner from the right, but it's headed clear from the near post.

64'

Great stop from Bredlow!

Stuttgart's custodian has kept them level. A fantastic cross from the right finds Sanches at the penalty spot. The No.10 has a free header, but Bredlow makes a superb reaction stop to deny him.

63'

First change

Gerardo Seoane makes the first substitution, making a like-for-like swap up top.

63'

Substitution

Sergio Córdova

Chris Bedia

Rockets from the visitors

For all their dominance, Stuttgart find themselves level here, courtesy of two great strikes from Young Boys.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

59'

Stiller looks to respond

Up the other end, Stuttgart try and restore their lead. The ball comes to Stiller inside the box, who fires a powerful, left-footed effort just over the bar.

57'

What a strike! 2-2!

Young Boys are back level. Fernandes takes the corner from the left, finding defender Lauper unmarked on the edge of the box. Lauper times the volley to perfection, slicing across the ball to fire it into the top right corner for parity.

57'

Sandro Lauper

GOAL!

2:2

55'

Slips at the crucial moment

Bedia is sent in behind down the right. A couple of Stuttgart players look for the offside flag, but it isn't raised. The Young Boys forward shifts the ball onto his left foot, beating Chema and Chabot, before slipping as he strikes from inside the box. His effort takes a deflection behind for a corner, though.

54'

Wayward

Jeltsch charges up the right flank before firing a cross in towards Demirović. The cross is too powerful, however, causing the Bosnian striker to balloon his header well over the bar.

53'

Speculative

Bouanani hits a left-footed effort from around 30 yards. He catches it well, but it' straight at the keeper.

52'

Brief stoppage

Stiller and Gigović collide in the middle of the park. Both drop to the turf, seemingly winded. However, they're both continuing now.

50'

Early set-piece

Wüthrich fouls Demirović in the right half-space around 30 yards from the Young Boys goal. Stiller takes it, attempting to float a ball into the box, but the visitors are first to it to clear.

46'

Back underway!

Stuttgart get the ball rolling for the final 45 minutes of their UEL league phase campaign. Neither manager has elected to make any changes at the interval.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 1

As it stands

At half-time around the grounds, Stuttgart find themselves in ninth place, just one point off Roma in the automatic qualification places.

Half-time: Stuttgart 2-1 Young Boys

So, it's the hosts who head in at the break with their noses in front, thanks to a lightning-fast double from Undav and Demirović. Stuttgart had a myriad of chances to increase their advantage, but were denied by the woodwork and some good stops from Keller. A lapse in concentration from Bredlow on his first Europa League outing afforded Young Boys a way back into the game, the Swiss side showing they can be clinical when they get the chance with a stunning effort from Holstein Kiel loanee Gigović.

© Alex Grimm

Half-time

42'

Gigović halves the deficit!

Young Boys are back in it. A misplaced pass out from the back from Bredlow is seized upon by Sanches. He tries to make space for a shot, before laying it off to Wüthrich, who sets up Gigović on the edge of the box. The Holstein Kiel loanee gets his body over the ball and smashes it into the top left corner with aplomb. Game on here in Stuttgart!

42'

Armin Gigović

GOAL!

2:1

41'

First booking

Monteiro is the first player to have his name taken for a late challenge on Assignon.

41'

Yellow card

Joel Monteiro

Young Boys stabilising

With five minutes of normal time left in this half, the visitors seemed to have managed to weather the Stuttgart storm and are now showing a little more of themselves going forward.

© IMAGO/Harry Langer/DeFodi Images

36'

Huge chance

That was a massive opportunity for the visitors to reduce arrears. Gigović plays it to Monteiro, who slips Bedia in behind with a defence-splitting pass. However, Bedia drags his finish from around 12 yards wide of the left post. Best chance of the game so far for the Swiss outfit.

34'

Back across

Undav peels off the backline and is untracked as he makes a run towards the far post. Führich finds him with a pinpoint pass, but Undav's header back across goal into the path of Demirović is intercepted at the last minute before the big Bosnian can get a shot away.

31'

Woodwork!

Stuttgart could not have come much closer to finding a third. Jeltsch goes on a mazy run up from the back before having a crack himself from the edge of the box. He drills it low towards the bottom left corner, but Keller - at full stretch - gets his fingertips to the ball and tips it onto the post. Great effort from the youngster.

28'

Free header

Assignon sees a shot blocked behind for a corner from inside the Young Boys box. Führich delivers, finding an unmarked Chabot in the six-yard box. However, the centre-back can only guide the ball straight into the gloves of Keller.

Demirović celebrates

The Bosnian's early strike remains the last goal to have been scored, despite Stuttgart's industrious pursuit of a third.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

25'

Tame finish

Führich is released in behind the visitors' backline this time. The winger bears down on goal, before electing to shoot. However, he scuffs his attempt, allowing Keller to gather it comfortably.

24'

Wouldn't have stood

On the surface, that looked like a golden opportunity for Stuttgart. Assignon is found with a delicate chip over the Young Boys backline. The right-back squares it to Demirović, who has the goal gaping, but finds his effort blocked at the last minute by a recovering defender. Despite the great chance, it wouldn't have counted anyway, as Assignon was offside in the build-up.

21'

Punched away

Bouanani wins a corner down the right flank. Stiller takes, bending one towards the near post, but Keller reacts to the change in delivery, beating the ball away from the front stick.

18'

Not far off

Chabot brings down Bedia about 30 yards from his own goal, earning the visitors a free-kick. Sanches takes, aiming towards the top right corner. His effort is well struck and swerves in mid-air, but flashes just wide of the post. Bredlow seemingly had it covered, though.

15'

Stiller bends one

Bouanani does excellently down the left flank to wriggle free of his markers before setting up Stiller on the edge of the box. The No.6 tries to curl an effort into the top left corner, but it takes a deflection behind for a corner. Führich takes, but Stuttgart don't manage to make anything of the set-piece.

Captain's performance

It took less than eight minutes for Undav to register two goal involvements this evening, as he broke the deadlock before teeing up Demirović.

© Alex Grimm

11'

Too deep

It's all Stuttgart at the moment. Führich fires in an inswinging corner from the left, but it's overhit and ultimately bounces harmlessly behind for a goal-kick.

7'

Already a second!

And just like that, Stuttgart find themselves two goals to the good! Demirović plays a lovely give-and-go to Undav, before getting the ball back from his captain and slotting past the onrushing Keller to double his side's advantage.

7'

Ermedin Demirović

GOAL!

2:0

6'

Undav with the opener!

What a start for the Swabians! Jeltsch intercepts a loose pass high up the pitch for Stuttgart. He spots the run of Assignon, and picks him out with a great ball in behind. The right-back fizzes a cross back in to Undav, who finishes coolly at the penalty spot.

6'

Deniz Undav

GOAL!

1:0

3'

Flashed in

Young Boys captain Benito gets high up the left flank and fires a teasing cross into the box. Jeltsch is there to deal with it, though, heading the ball clear.

1'

And we're off!

It's the visitors from Switzerland who get the ball rolling here in Stuttgart.

Kick-off!

Warm-ups underway

Kick-off is less than 15 minutes away...

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

The masked man

Earlier in the week, there had been concerns over Ramon Hendriks' availability for tonight's clash, after the Dutchman suffered a broken nose in his side's 3-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend. However, Hendriks makes the bench tonight, sporting a custom face mask.

© IMAGO/Alexander Keppler

Top scorer returns

Stuttgart's top scorer in the Europa League with three goals, Bilal El Khannouss, returns to the Swabians' squad tonight after serving a one-game suspension against Roma last time out. Whilst he has not made the starting line-up this evening, there's every reason to believe Hoeneß will be keeping him as an ace in the hole.

© Selim Sudheimer

More on that Stuttgart side

Likewise, Sebastian Hoeneß also makes four changes to his side that suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Roma last time out. Fabian Bredlow gets the nod in goal ahead of Alexander Nübel, whilst Angelo Stiller, Badredine Bouanani and Ermedin Demirović all start, replacing Ramon Hendriks, Jamie Leweling and Atakan Karazor, all of whom drop to the bench.

© IMAGO/Goal Sports Images

More on that Young Boys side

Gerardo Seoane makes four changes to the side he fielded on Matchday 7 against Lyon (1-0 defeat). Kiel loanee Armin Gigović, Christian Fassnacht, Joel Monteiro and Chris Bedia all come in for the suspended Rayan Raveloson in addition to Darian Males, Alan Virginius and Sergio Córdova who take their places among the substitutes.

© IMAGO/Kjetil Waber

Stuttgart starting XI

Bredlow – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Chema, Stiller – Bouanani, Undav (c), Führich – Demirović

Stuttgart subs

Nübel, Hellstern, Hendriks, Vagnoman, El Khannouss, Jaquez, Karazor, Leweling, Catović, Penna, Spalt

Young Boys starting XI

Keller – Janko, Wüthrich, Lauper, Benito (c) – Gigović, Fernandes – Fassnacht, Sanches, Monteiro – Bedia

Young Boys subs

Lindner, Marzino, Zoukrou, Virginius, Córdova, Pech, Males, Dalipi, Mambwa, Smith

2:05

Watch: All of Undav's Bundesliga goals so far in 2025/26

Stuttgart's talisman has been on fire for this term, leading the Swabians' internal goalscoring charts.

Young Boys defender Saidy Janko's thoughts

"Playing in Europe is, of course, different from the Swiss League. I always prepare for every single opponent. We know tomorrow won't be easy, as Stuttgart are strong at home. But we have our strengths too and we'll try to get something out of them tomorrow."

© IMAGO/Pius Koller

Gerardo Seoane on facing Stuttgart

"Stuttgart have started 2026 very impressively, delivering consistently strong performances and showing a lot of stability. At home, I expect them to press very high - as they usually do - and try to force us into man-to-man situations. Without the ball, they press with a lot of intensity to establish control of the game. What really defines them is their ability to dominate with their midfielders and centre-backs, and then add real quality in the final third."

© IMAGO/Malte Ossowski / SVEN SIMON

1:45

Watch: Sebastian Hoeneß's pre-match press conference

Take in the best bits from the Stuttgart head coach's pre-match press conference ahead of this encounter.

Hoeneß' thoughts on possible permutations

"I'm not interested in all the calculations, as we are not in control of our own destiny when it comes to direct qualification. We want finish our home fixtures with a clean sheet and, above all, give the fans something to cheer about."

© IMAGO/Hansjürgen Britsch

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Young Boys

"What I have seen of the way they play is not bad. The squad is also good, and [Young Boys] have a great coach [in Gerardo Seoane]. They're a team that can play well. They're not a team we can beat just like that. We are going into the game with full focus."

© IMAGO/Ayman Alahmed

Demirović's thoughts on the Young Boys game

“We definitely want to win it. On the one hand, that’s just our mindset – wanting to get something out of every game. And on the other hand, it’ll be crucial to pick up three points to see where we end up in the table. And we obviously want to treat our fans to a home win and go over and celebrate in front of the stands.”

© THOMAS KIENZLE

Demirović praises Stuttgart's 'hard work'

Speaking with the club's official outlets after returning from a long-term injury on Matchday 17, Bosnian forward Demirović is eyeing further success with the Swabians this term. However, the former Augsburg man is keen not to get carried away, emphasising: “We’re looking good in all three competitions, and that’s down to our hard work. We want to build on this to make it into a successful season for VfB. It’s important for us to take it one game at a time and only focus on the next match at hand. It doesn’t make much sense thinking about what might happen in April or May already.”

© DFL/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann

Visitors struggling

Young Boys are winless in five and come into this game having lost 4-1 to FC Thun in the Swiss Super League. They have former Mainz man Edimilson Fernandes, and Armin Gigovic, who is on loan from Holstein Kiel, in their ranks.

Bouncing back

Stuttgart responded to defeat in Rome with a dominant display in their win over Gladbach on Bundesliga Matchday 19, making it six games without defeat in the league.

2:03

Watch: Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-3 Stuttgart - highlights

Deniz Undav was on the scoresheet as Sebastian Hoenß's side won comfortably at Gladbach.

Hoeneß hoping for some Sunday success

VfB, unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga matches, face Mönchengladbach at Borussia-Park on Sunday, and will be keen to pick up a win ahead of their crucial and final Europa League match on Thursday, especially after the recent loss versus Roma, where they were a little unlucky not to earn a draw. “Even though it’s a quick turnaround, we still believe that we can build on our good showing in Rome,” said Sebastian Hoeneß.

© IMAGO/Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse

Head-to-head

Stuttgart faced Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League a little over 12 months ago, triumphing 5-1 on a memorable night at the MHPArena. VfB also beat the Bern outfit 3-0 in the 2010/11 Europa League group stage before losing 4-2 in Switzerland two and a half months later.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Young Boys - the story so far

The Swiss Super League side are in a much more precarious position than their opponents, with only nine points from their seven league phase games so far. They have beaten Ludogorets, FCSB and Lille, but defeats to Panathinaikos, PAOK, Aston Villa and Lyon have left them in 22nd spot in the table - and in need of a result to confirm a knockout phase play-off spot.

© IMAGO/Pius Koller

Stuttgart - the story so far

Despite last week'a 2-0 defeat at Roma, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side head into their final league phase game in a strong position. Victories over Celta Vigo, Feyenoord, Go Ahead Eagles and Maccabi Tel Aviv have left them in 13th place on 12 points, just two adrift of the automatic last-16 spots. A place in the knockout round play-offs is already secured, but VfB will be going all out for a top-eight finish against Young Boys.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the UEFA Europa League fixture between VfB Stuttgart and Young Boys.

About the clubs

VfB Stuttgart

MHPArena