A scintillating smoke storm from the stands at Deutsche Bank Park delayed kick-off by over five minutes, but it didn’t take Eintracht long to see the first sight of a goal as Jean-Mattéo Bahoya called Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel into a fine one-handed save from after three minutes.
The hosts were back on the attack not long after, with Ritsu Doan's strike visibly stinging the Bayern Munich loanee’s palms.
However, the game’s opening goal was netted at the opposite end of the pitch after 10 minutes as Chris Führich’s precisely measured corner found the head of Chema Andrés.
Falling behind didn’t deter Albert Riera’s side’s search to add to their 59 Bundesliga goals, with only Nübel’s expertise stopping Can Uzun’s stunning solo strike from nestling in the back of the net.
After a brief pause in play in front of goal, the action resumed shortly after the half-hour mark as Jeff Chabot planted a header straight at Michael Zetterer.
That missed opportunity forced Stuttgart to make amends before half time, as Nikolas Nartey added to his goal from January’s reserve fixture by doubling his side’s lead with an unstoppable finish in injury time with the last kick of the first half.
Stuttgart's plan was progressing smoothly, as their closest UCL rivals, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, were trailing 2-0 at Borussia Mönchengladbach during the break.
However, the visitors took some time to regain their momentum in the second half, with Zetterer not making a save until the 59th minute, following Andrés' header.
It was then Farès Chaïbi's turn to try his luck, but the substitute frustratingly saw his thunderous effort turned away by Nübel’s outstretched glove at the near post.
However, Nübel let himself down in the 71st minute by conceding a needless penalty for a foul on Jonathan Burkardt as he attempted to regain control of the ball after failing to initially collect a routine cross.
Eintracht's substitute went on to confidently convert the resulting spot-kick a minute later to set up an intriguing conclusion to the contest.
It appeared Stuttgart’s best form of defence for the rest of the afternoon would be to go on the attack, as Jamie Leweling forced Zetterer into an expert save.
However, there was late drama at Deutsche Bank Park as Andrés’ 91st-minute handball allowed Burkardt to again convert from 12 yards to salvage a point.
A late share of the spoils denies Stuttgart their seventh away league win of the season, but Hoffenheim’s heavy defeat helped the Reds retain fourth place.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s season has constantly stuttered since the New Year, ultimately seeing the Eagles miss out on playing in Europe after finishing in eighth place.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Chema Andrés (VfB Stuttgart)