Bundesliga: Mainz Stun Frankfurt 2-1 — Nebel Scores Dramatic Winner

Late drama sees Mainz past Frankfurt, into 11th spot

Frankfurt's European hopes take hit as Mainz win with 89th-minute goal. Mainz climb to 11th after Paul Nebel's late winner stuns Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1.

Dramatic late goal sends Mainz up three places, Frankfurt stay 7th...

Mainz pulled off a dramatic late win against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Paul Nebel scoring an 89th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory.

The match got off to a flying start, with Mainz taking the lead in just six minutes - Nebel's early goal came from a ball over the top, his shot deflecting off Arthur Theate past Zetterer.

A league-high 11 of Frankfurt’s 13 Bundesliga away matches this season had seen both sides score prior to kick-off, and they added to that tally midway through the half.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya got the better of his man and squared to Nathaniel Brown from near to the byline, and the left-back’s first-time finish from 10 yards out beat Daniel Batz.

Mainz nearly doubled their lead three minutes later, but Kaishu Sano's driven shot narrowly missed the target.

The first half was evenly matched, with a tense moment for Mainz just before halftime - Dominik Kohr almost scored an own goal, but the ball escaped the net.

Eintracht Frankfurt were riding high after reaching the Conference League quarter-finals for the first time, and they were competing well against Mainz, who were looking to bounce back from their Europa League exit.

Ritsu Doan was lively all afternoon, nearly setting up Fares Chaibi just after the hour mark - the Algerian's header hit the crossbar.

Doan went close himself shortly after, with his first-time shot pushed around the post by Batz.

Mainz thought they'd won a penalty with just over 10 minutes left, Sheraldo Becker going down in the box, but referee Tobias Stieler checked the VAR and spotted a foul in the build-up.

However, in a dramatic conclusion, Becker saw his effort from inside the area hit both posts, before Nebel popped up with a minute of normal time remaining to snatch the spoils.

THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT! 🤩

2-1 | FT | #M05SGE pic.twitter.com/7ciQpFTori

— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) March 22, 2026

Nelson Weiper’s close-range header was saved by Zetterer, but the midfielder was on hand to bury the rebound and spark scenes of wild celebration from the jubilant home fans.

Mainz climbed to 11th with the win, moving six points clear of the relegation zone.

Frankfurt stay 7th, eight points off the final European spot with seven games left.