VfB Stuttgart extended its perfect Europa League home record and climbed to 20th in the overall table with a 2-0 win over Feyenoord Rotterdam on Thursday, sealed by two late goals.

After two consecutive goalless defeats in the competition, Stuttgart entered its fourth group-stage match under pressure to respond.

In the first half, both sides pressed high but created few clear openings. Feyenoord stand-in captain Anis Hadj Moussa had the best early chance, testing goalkeeper Alexander Nubel after 14 minutes. Stuttgart was fortunate when Maximilian Mittelstadt received only a yellow card for a tactical foul as the last defender in first-half stoppage time.

After the break, Stuttgart began to take control. Bilal El Khannouss was pulled down by Givairo Reid on a dangerous counter in the 56th minute, drawing only a yellow card to the frustration of the home fans. From then on, the hosts took charge. El Khannouss and striker Deniz Undav both forced fine saves from Timon Wellenreuther, while Jamie Leweling shot narrowly wide from close range.

Six minutes from time, the breakthrough arrived. Lorenz Assignon drove down the right and curled a cross into the box, where El Khannouss headed in off the underside of the bar. In stoppage time, Stuttgart struck again as Chris Fuhrich led a counterattack and set up Undav to make it 2-0.

The result gave Stuttgart its second straight home win and first clean sheet of the Europa League campaign, while Feyenoord suffered a third defeat in four matches and now faces a battle to keep its knockout hopes alive.