Mainz stun Leipzig to take crucial three points back home | OneFootball

Goals from Nadiem Amiri and Silas sealed a superb comeback victory for Urs Fischer’s side, earning them a vital three points in their fight for survival after a disciplined and resolute defensive display.

Mainz were dealt an early blow when forward Benedict Hollerbach was stretchered off following a worrying non-contact injury with nobody around him - an incident that will undoubtedly concern Urs Fischer ahead of the coming fixtures. Despite the setback, the visitors fashioned the first clear chance after 20 minutes, Danny da Costa’s teasing delivery finding Philipp Tietz in the box, though the striker could only guide his header agonisingly wide of the post.

The visitors continued to look the more assured side while frustrating Leipzig, with the hosts struggling for attacking incision against the low block Ole Werner had referenced pre-game. However, that did not prevent Leipzig from taking the lead against the run of play five minutes before the interval. Antonio Nusa did well down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross for Conrad Harder, who powered his header past Daniel Batz to make it 1-0.

Just as Leipzig appeared set to take their slender advantage into the break, disaster struck once more for David Raum for the second time in a week. The left-back brought down Tietz inside the area deep into added time, conceding yet another penalty. Nadiem Amiri stepped up and calmly dispatched his spot kick low past Peter Gulácsi - his fifth penalty goal of the season - allowing Mainz to head into half-time deservedly level after an impressive first-half display.

Mainz began the second half in dreamland, taking the lead just three minutes after the restart. Tietz picked out first-half substitute Silas just beyond the halfway line, and the forward danced past Willi Orbán with ease before driving into the box, evading three hesitant Leipzig defenders and firing past a helpless Gulácsi to make it 2-1. Ole Werner cut a visibly furious figure on the touchline.

Leipzig were handed a golden opportunity to restore parity shortly after the hour mark. Yan Diomande burst past Silvan Widmer on the right and whipped in a dangerous cross which Rômulo could only divert onto the post, the chance summing up the hosts’ growing frustration.

The home side continued to throw men forward and make attacking changes in search of an equaliser, but a determined Mainz defence stood firm, repelling wave after wave of Leipzig pressure. Willi Orbán’s header straight at Batz proved the closest the hosts came late on, as Urs Fischer’s men held out for a memorable victory.

It is a huge result for the visitors, who make it back-to-back wins and climb out of the relegation places on goal difference, with genuine momentum now building in their battle to avoid the drop. Leipzig’s patchy form continues - just two wins from their last seven league outings - and while they remain fourth for now, Stuttgart have the chance to leapfrog them tomorrow.