Bundesliga 26/27 · Round 5 · SAT, OCT 10
FSV Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen match report: Mainz edged out by Leverkusen in seven-goal thriller
A wild match at Mainz saw Bayer Leverkusen twice surrender a lead before pulling clear late on, then survive a stoppage-time scare to take all three points.
By 10xSharp · Published
Final score
Bayer Leverkusen won 4-3 away at FSV Mainz. The match was level at 2-2 at half-time. Leverkusen moved ahead in the second half and held on despite a late Mainz goal in the 92nd minute.
Goals
Robert Andrich put Leverkusen ahead in the 5th minute, and Patrik Schick made it 2-0 in the 9th. Anthony Caci pulled one back for Mainz in the 33rd minute and equalised in the 42nd, assisted by Nadiem Amiri. Jarell Quansah restored Leverkusen's lead in the 55th minute, and Moussa Diaby added a fourth in the 65th, assisted by Afonso Bastardo Moreira. Benedict Hollerbach scored for Mainz in the 92nd minute, but Leverkusen held on.
Key stats
Leverkusen had the better of the shooting numbers, with 7 shots on target to Mainz's 4. Mainz had more corners, 4 to Leverkusen's 3, but Leverkusen had more dangerous attacks, 37 to Mainz's 51. Possession was nearly even, with Leverkusen holding 51 percent to Mainz's 49 percent.
Discipline
Mainz picked up 3 yellow cards, while Leverkusen received 1. Neither side had a player sent off.
Verdict
Leverkusen's early double put them in control, but Mainz fought back to level before half-time. Leverkusen's second-half goals proved decisive, and they managed the closing stages well enough to see out the win despite Mainz's late strike. The result leaves Mainz with nothing to show for a spirited display, while Leverkusen take the points.