Mainz secure dramatic late victory over Fiorentina | OneFootball

Mainz claimed a crucial win in the UEFA Conference League, with substitute Jae-Sung Lee heading home a 95th-minute winner to maintain their perfect start in the competition.

A vibrant atmosphere greeted Bo Henriksen’s, with the home crowd clearly sensing another special European night. Mainz started brightly, pressing high and creating early chances - Paul Nebel dispossessed his man and crossed for Nelson Weiper, whose header was saved by Tommaso Martinelli, before Armindo Sieb flashed an effort wide moments later.

But against the run of play, Fiorentina struck first. A poor clearance from Danny da Costa fell straight to Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, who set up Roberto Piccoli to tee up Simon Sohm for a clinical finish. The goal silenced the home fans and gave the visitors confidence to push on.

Fiorentina threatened to double their lead before the half as they constantly caught Mainz on the break, first forcing Robin Zentner into a sharp stop from Piccoli before Kacper Potulski made a heroic block to deny Jacopo Fazzini. Mainz could count themselves fortunate to trail by just one at half-time.

Henriksen introduced Silvan Widmer after the restart, but it was Fiorentina who remained on top, with Cher Ndour and Piccoli both going close. Yet, as so often happens, missed chances proved costly. Around the 70th minute, substitute Benedict Hollerbach pressed high to win the ball, linked with Lee and Weiper, and calmly slotted past Martinelli to level the game - the record signing’s first goal for Mainz. The equaliser sent the Mewa Arena into a frenzy as chants of “Mainzaaa!” roared through the stands with the fans believing once again.

The game opened up late on, with Fiorentina’s Moise Kean heading agonisingly wide before having a goal disallowed for offside following a lengthy VAR check. Then came the decisive moment. Deep into stoppage time, Kaishu Sano beat two defenders on the left and whipped in a perfect cross for Lee, who rose unmarked to nod home the winner and ignite scenes of pure jubilation.

The final whistle brought an end to a gripping half and brought relief and delight for Henriksen’s men, who move to three wins from three - a result that could prove a turning point in their season as they visit Frankfurt on Sunday. Fiorentina, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the competition and will now turn their focus to climbing away from the foot of Serie A ahead of their trip to Genoa.