Bundesliga: Quansah's Late Strike Salvages Point for Leverkusen Against Mainz

Leverkusen held to 1-1 draw by Mainz

Leverkusen earns a late 1-1 draw at home to Mainz, with Jarell Quansah scoring a late equaliser to keep Die Werkself in contention for a top-four Bundesliga finish.

While Leverkusen dominated possession in those final 15 minutes, they rarely threatened until the 88th minute...

Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run against Mainz continued with a late 1-1 draw, keeping them in contention for a top-four Bundesliga finish. The result extends Die Werkself's streak to six games (W4, D2).

After a disappointing 1-0 loss at Union Berlin last week, Leverkusen were looking to bounce back, especially after their Champions League playoff win.

However, they were facing a resurgent Mainz side, who had picked up 16 points from a possible 30 since the appointment of Fischer. It was the hosts who almost got off to a flyer when Jonas Hofmann unleashed a venomous effort from distance, but Daniel Batz was alert to palm the ball away. 

It took until just after the quarter-hour mark for the visitors to go close to netting the opener, as Paul Nebel’s low drive was parried into the path of Phillip Tietz, only for his goalbound effort to be blocked.

Leverkusen had a tough time breaking down Mainz's defense despite dominating possession with 70% in the first half. They were restricted to just one shot on target until the 43rd minute, when Jarell Quansah found space in the box but had his effort blocked.

Kasper Hjulmand made changes on the hour mark, bringing on Martin Terrier and Ibrahim Maza. The pair combined to slip in Patrik Schick, but Batz made a great save.

Leverkusen pushed hard for the goal, but Mainz broke the deadlock with a swift counter-attack, catching the hosts off guard.

A Leverkusen corner was gathered by Batz, who booted the ball upfield to send Paul Nebel racing down the right flank, and his whipped ball to the edge of the box was beautifully swept home on the volley by Sheraldo Becker. 

The hosts appeared stunned by the opener and failed to regain the composure required to level the scoreline, as Fischer’s men battened down the hatches with a quarter-hour remaining

While Leverkusen dominated possession in those final 15 minutes, they rarely threatened until the 88th minute when Christian Kofane broke through the Mainz defence and his square ball was turned in by an unlikely source - not his strike partner - but centre-back Quansah, who swept home to earn a draw.

It ends in a draw.

90+8' | 1-1 | #B04M05 pic.twitter.com/UZSGD8oL93

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 28, 2026

Leverkusen's late equalizer keeps them in contention for a top-four spot, sitting three points behind fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart in sixth place. Meanwhile, Mainz moves further away from safety, now just three points above VfL Wolfsburg in 17th place.