Shortly afterwards the visitors were reduced to 10 men when left-wing back Emiliano Insua was sent off - following a video review - for a high tackle on Pavel Kaderabek. Nicolas Gonzalez flicked a header wide soon after, but Belfodil went agonisingly close midway through the half when he curled a shot against the upright. Argentine striker Gonzalez then clipped the post with another headed opportunity as Stuttgart continued to threaten.
Hoffenheim started to make their man advantage count closer to the break, however, and the visitors had to scramble to deny Joshua Brenet and Andrej Kramaric, while Reiss Nelson also missed a chance. In-form English teenager Nelson would make a decisive impact after half-time, though, brilliantly jinking past three players inside the penalty box only to see his effort on goal saved by Stuttgart goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler. Brenet was on hand to slot home the rebound, though, and two minutes later he set up Joelinton for a tap-in.
Hoffenheim vs. VfB Stuttgart: CONFIRMED line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog! Ishak Belfodil bagged a brace as Hoffenheim ruthlessly cut apart 10-man southern neighbours Stuttgart to make it back-to-back wins in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim 4-0 StuttgartGoals: 1-0 Brenet (48’), 2-0 Joelinton (51’), 3-0 Belfodil (57’) 4-0 Belfodil (60’)Red card: Insua (8’)Stuttgart almost made a flying start but Mario Gomez shot wide when sent clear on goal.
Football, Germany: Stuttgart live scores, results, fixtures