FCA beaten 3-2 by Mainz after late drama

Penalty overturned in the dying seconds

On Matchday 4 of the Bundesliga, FC Augsburg were beaten 3-2 by 1. FSV Mainz 05 after a dramatic end to the game, as an injury-time penalty was overturned following VAR intervention.

Jess Thorup’s side were unchanged from the 3-1 win over FC St. Pauli. Steve Mounié and Fredrik Jensen returned to the squad, while Mads Pedersen missed out with adductor problems.

Under the floodlights, the Fuggerstädter started on the front foot, but still fell behind early on. In the 13th minute, Armindo Sieb gave his side the lead when he headed home a deflected cross. Just two minutes later, Jonathan Burkardt scored another header to make it 2-0. In the 25th minute though, FCA hit back. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw arrived at the far post following a free kick, and played it into the middle for Keven Schlotterbeck, who hammered the ball into the net with his left foot. Shortly after, Mainz were reduced to ten men when Nadiem Amiri was shown a second yellow card. FCA however could not make the most of their man advantage before the break, despite two efforts from Elvis Rexhbecaj (37’, 42’).

Essende scores and sees red

Steve Mounié replaced Maximilian Bauer at half time as Augsburg switched to a back four. Mainz though made it 3-1 in the 49th minute, as Burkardt got on the end of a cross to turn home from close range and make it the worst-possible start to the second half for FCA.

Samuel Essende’s header brought it back to 3-2 in the 57th minute, and the Fuggerstädter piled on the pressure, but Mounié saw himself denied in the 66th. In the 70th minute, Essende was shown the red card for an off-the-ball kick at Dominik Kohr. Despite going down to ten, Thorup’s team continued to battle for an equaliser, and Mounié’s 89th-minute overhead kick was saved by Robin Zentner. There was then controversy during the six minutes of injury time. Referee Sören Storks initially awarded a penalty kick after a foul by Silvan Widmer on Schlotterbeck, but overturned his decision after reviewing VAR footage. This crowned a bitterly disappointing end to the game for the hosts.

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FCA will now look to dust themselves down and be at their highest possible level when they travel to face Leipzig. On Saturday, 28th September (15:30 CEST), Thorup’s side visit the club who are competing in the Champions League this season.