Mainz Stun RB Leipzig with Comeback Victory

Mainz came from behind to defeat RB Leipzig 2-1, boosting their Champions League qualification hopes and piling pressure on Leipzig boss Marco Rose.

Mainz staged a thrilling comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 2-1, securing a crucial victory in their pursuit of Champions League football. This hard-fought win propelled Mainz into fourth place in the Bundesliga standings.

The contrast between these two teams was stark just a season ago, with a sizable 30-point gap separating them. However, their fortunes have reversed dramatically, with Mainz entering this matchup narrowly ahead of Leipzig on goal difference alone, setting the stage for a tightly contested encounter.

RB Leipzig burst out of the gates with intensity, taking the lead inside the first minute. Xavi Simons capitalized on Amadou Haidara's blocked effort, slotting home from close range to give the hosts an early advantage.

Leipzig continued to dominate the proceedings, with Haidara squandering another opportunity to double their lead. The visitors, Mainz, were largely on the back foot, absorbing pressure as Leipzig pushed for a second goal. Benjamin Sesko's effort narrowly missed the target, but Leipzig's onslaught showed no signs of relenting.

GET! IN! THERE!!!! ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍

1-2 | FT | #RBLM05 pic.twitter.com/mwHpmd0Mt3

— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) March 1, 2025

The second half brought a marked improvement from Mainz, who drew level within 10 minutes of the restart. Paul Nebel's persistence paid off as he worked his way to the byline and cut the ball back for Nadiem Amiri to expertly sweep home, restoring parity to the contest.

Emboldened by their equalizer, Mainz surged forward, and Lee Jae-sung's header narrowly cleared the crossbar, serving as a warning to Leipzig. However, the hosts failed to heed this warning, and soon found themselves trailing as Nadiem Amiri, the architect of Mainz's equalizer, played provider once more. Amiri's clever through-ball released Jonathan Burkardt, who skillfully swiveled in the box and dispatched a precise left-footed finish into the far corner.

Amiri continued to torment the Leipzig defense, and he came agonizingly close to sealing the win 15 minutes from time. However, his effort crashed back off the post, leaving Mainz to endure a nervy conclusion to the match. Nevertheless, the visitors' defense held firm, securing a third consecutive league victory and establishing a comfortable buffer over their rivals. In contrast, Leipzig's defeat has heightened the pressure on manager Marco Rose, who now faces the daunting task of bridging the gap to the top four.