VfB Stuttgart ran away with a 4-1 Bundesliga win over FC Koln, leading from late in the first half and pulling clear after the restart. A late own goal offered the visitors a reply, and the hosts still added a fourth in the final minute.

Match Summary

For more than half an hour the match stayed goalless. VfB Stuttgart went ahead in the 39th minute through Bilal El Khannouss, Josha Vagnoman with the assist, and they led at the break. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was booked for FC Koln just after the goal.

After the restart Maximilian Mittelstädt saw yellow, then created the second. Grischa Prömel scored for Stuttgart in the 60th minute from that assist. Ermedin Demirović made it three in the 75th minute, Finn Jeltsch supplying him.

FC Koln pulled one back in the 81st minute through an own goal by Ramon Hendriks. Josha Vagnoman still scored in the 90th minute. Tom Krauß and Alessio Castro-Montes were booked late for the visitors.

Key Moments

The timing of the opener, just before half-time, mattered as much as the finish itself. FC Koln had no window to equalize before the interval, and Stuttgart could manage the second half from in front. The scoring burst after the hour then removed the need to protect a single-goal lead. By the time the own goal arrived, the gap was already three, which is why it read as consolation rather than a turning point.

Stuttgart kept adding goals rather than sitting on the lead. Even after the own goal, they went forward again and scored in the 90th minute, which stopped any late hope for FC Koln.

Match Statistics

Stuttgart had 58 percent of the ball and the clearer attacking numbers, 22 shots to 17 and eight on target to four. They also took 10 corners to the visitors' eight. The card count went the other way, one yellow for the hosts and three for the visitors, with no red cards shown.

What the Result Means

In the Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart are 18th with zero points from one match and a goal difference of minus four, a run that includes one loss. FC Koln sit seventh on three points from one match, plus one in goal difference, with one win in their last outing. Three points separate them.

See also

• VfB Stuttgart vs FC Koln live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps