Stuttgart go second with late show at FCK

VfB Stuttgart moved into second place in UEFA Europa League Group E courtesy of a 2-0 win at FC København.

Held by FCK to a goalless draw on home soil a fortnight ago, Stuttgart finally rediscovered their scoring boots in the final 14 minutes in Copenhagen. Vedad Ibišević broke the deadlock when he headed past Kim Christensen and Martin Harnik wrapped up the victory in added time, leaving the hosts a point shy of their visitors in the section.

After a quiet opening, the match sparked into life during a hectic two-minute period in which Andreas Cornelius's shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Sven Ulreich. At the other end, Ibrahima Traoré spurned a fine chance when he fired the ball low and wide moments after Serdar Tasci had blocked Lars Jacobsen's surge into the box.

København seemed to just about have the upper hand, but Harnik nearly extinguished their supremacy when he missed from 12 metres. Cornelius also headed straight at Ulreich to leave the game goalless at the interval.

Stuttgart almost took the lead immediately after the restart as Ibišević rose to meet Traoré's corner, yet Christensen saved well. Nicolai Jørgensen made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, his sublime cross intercepted by Ulreich when apparently destined for Cornelius.

The match remained in the balance, with Christian Gentner next to go close for the Bundesliga outfit with a curling effort from inside the area. Thomas Delaney was equally near with a header for FCK, though that was as good as it got for the Danish club. Ibišević put Stuttgart in front with 14 minutes left, meeting Arthur Boka's lofted pass with a header past the stranded Christensen.

København tried to force their way back into the game, but Cornelius nodded wide. Their search for an equaliser ultimately led only to a second for the away side, Harnik rubber-stamping the victory with a delightfully curled finish.