Leverkusen rediscovers its late-goal magic in a 4-3 comeback win over Stuttgart in Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen rediscovered some of the late-goal magic from its title-winning season as Patrik Schick's added-time header sealed a 4-3 comeback win over Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Trailing 3-2, Leverkusen was heading for a fourth successive loss in all competitions before Victor Boniface's pass deflected in off Angelo Stiller for an own-goal in the 88th minute. Jeremie Frimpong then crossed for Schick to head in the winning goal in the fourth minute of added time.

“Perhaps sometimes you need wins like this to show the spirit is still there,” Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah told broadcaster DAZN.

The win brought back memories of Leverkusen's tendency to turn games round in the last minute when it won the Bundesliga title last season. It also cut Bayern Munich's lead at the top of the standings over second-placed Leverkusen to six points after Bayern drew 1-1 at Union Berlin on Saturday.

“We just want to get on (Bayern's) nerves until the end,” Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich said.

With star attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz out injured, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has had to shake up his tactics and rely more on physically imposing forwards like Schick and Boniface.

The changed system couldn't prevent elimination from the Champions League by Bayern on Tuesday and took time to be effective against Stuttgart.

Ermedin Demirovic gave Stuttgart the lead in the 15th minute with a shot on the rebound and Stuttgart doubled its advantage shortly after halftime with a goal for tall striker Nick Woltemade.

Frimpong scored to give Leverkusen hope of a comeback, but Stuttgart made it 3-1 when a shot deflected off Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and midfielder Granit Xhaka for an own-goal. Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié scored at a corner soon after as the comeback gathered steam.

Eintracht Frankfurt stayed on course to qualify for the Champions League with a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Bochum, but only after both teams had to wait nearly an hour for kickoff.

A dispute between visiting Frankfurt fans and the authorities over banners blocking emergency exits led to a standoff which was eventually resolved in time for the game to kick off 50 minutes late.

Goalkeeper Kaua Santos was the hero for Frankfurt with a spectacular save to keep out a diving header in added time with the score at 2-1, before Frankfurt striker Michy Batshuayi scored for the second week running to secure the win for his new team.

Also Sunday, Heidenheim ended a nine-game winless run in the Bundesliga as it held off a late comeback from Holstein Kiel to win 3-1 in a battle between the league's bottom two clubs.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Heidenheim players celebrate their side's third goal of the game during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Heidenheim and Holstein Kiel at Voith-Arena stadium, in Heidenheim, Germany, Sunday March 16, 2025. (Jan-Philipp Strobel/dpa via AP)

Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. in Bochum, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Anke Wälischmiller/dpa via AP)

Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka, center left, scores an own goal next to Stuttgart's Ermedin Demirovic, right, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Leverkusen's Patrick Schick and the team celebrate during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

From left, Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface and Jeremie Frimpong celebrate after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Leverkusen's Patrick Schick and the team celebrate after a goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship in a Monday finish over J.J. Spaun that featured three dynamic playoff holes at the TPC Sawgrass, a harsh wind and very little drama.

McIlroy seized control early with a big drive that set up an easy birdie on the par-5 16th hole, and he effectively ended the three-hole playoff on the notorious par-3 17th by hitting the green. Spaun's tee shot sailed over the island and into the water, leading to triple bogey.

McIlroy got into the playoff Sunday evening when he narrowly made a 4-foot par putt. He then had to wait on Spaun's 30-foot birdie putt for the win that stopped inches short. A four-hour rain delay forced them to finish on Monday morning.

McIlroy won The Players for the second time, and it's the first time in his career he has won twice before the Masters. McIlroy previously won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

McIlroy won $4.5 million from the $25 million purse, the richest tournament in golf.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

J.J. Spain hits from the sand on the 16th hole during a playoff round of The Players Championship golf tournament Monday, March 17, 2025, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, stands on the 16th green during a playoff round of The Players Championship golf tournament Monday, March 17, 2025, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

J.J. Spaun watches his hit from the 17th tee during a playoff round of The Players Championship golf tournament Monday, March 17, 2025, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, putts on the 17th green during a playoff round of The Players Championship golf tournament Monday, March 17, 2025, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)