Amiri inspires Mainz turnaround after early Wolfsburg shocker | OneFootball

After conceding inside the opening minutes, Mainz responded with relentless pressure, eventually turning the game on its head in a thrilling Bundesliga encounter against VfL Wolfsburg.

The Bundesliga clash at Mewa Arena got off to a shock start as Wolfsburg’s Amoura, recently missed during the Africa Cup, flicked the ball into the net with a cheeky backheel to give the visitors an early lead. Mainz almost responded immediately: just five minutes later, Tietz had a great chance to equalize, only for Grabara to block with his legs.

Mainz debuted Posch, adding fresh energy to their backline. He was watching his teammate Lee being brought down in the penalty area by Wolfsburg’s Souza, giving Mainz a chance from the spot — but Tietz saw his attempt saved by Grabara, keeping the score 1‑0. Both sides then traded attacking blows in a high-intensity, evenly matched first half, with Hollerbach nearly equalizing before Vavro cleared off the line.

The game turned when Mainz introduced playmaker Nadiem Amiri. His delivery from a corner found Tietz, who headed the ball into the net in the 68th minute to level the score at 1‑1. Just five minutes later, Mainz capitalized on another set piece: several Mainz players found themselves unmarked in front of Grabara after a corner, and Bell fired home to put the hosts ahead 2‑1.

Mainz continued their surge, and in the 83rd minute, a Wolfsburg handball awarded them a penalty. Amiri, Mainz’s midfield maestro, stepped up and calmly converted, making it 3‑1 and cementing the turnaround.

With a performance like this, Mainz should be out of the relegation battle in no time - Wolfsburg on the other hand have to watch out in order to not get into said battle in the coming weeks.

Final result: Mainz 05 3-1 VfL Wolfsburg.