Last-gasp Lee header gives Mainz dramatic win in Augsburg

It’s two wins from two on the road this season! For the first time since 2016, the Zerofivers are coming away from Augsburg with all three points after a dramatic 2-1 victory at the WWK-Arena. Karim Onisiwo gave Mainz the lead midway through the first half, before Ermedin Demirovic leveled for the hosts just a few moments later. Around the hour mark, Mainz had the chance to retake the lead from twelve yards, but Aarón’s penalty was saved. It looked as though Svensson’s side would have to settle for a point, until Jae-Sung Lee scored a last minute header to send the travelling support into raptures.

Bo Svensson made two changes from the side that faced Union Berlin last time out. Birthday boy Angelo Fulgini came in for Lee and Jonny Burkardt replaced Marcus Ingvartsen.

Few chances in the opening stages

Mainz made a good start to the game and put their opponents under some early pressure. Their first action in front of goal came after just 60 seconds, when Aarón’s free kick found Dominik Kohr in the penalty area, but the midfielder failed to hit the target with his header (1’). Other than this, however, there was very little action to speak of inside the first 20 minutes. Robin Zentner was called into action for the first time in the 20th minute, but he made light work of Arne Maier’s free kick.

Both sides started to offer a bit more as the half progressed and the game became a lot more open. It was the Zerofivers who took the initiative and they took the lead with 31 minutes on the clock. Fulgini found Onisiwo with a long ball, and the Austrian controlled it well to turn the last defender. He remained cool in front of goal and slotted it past the keeper to give his side the lead. This was Onisiwo’s 49th direct goal contribution for Mainz in the Bundesliga and he surpassed Yunus Mall to become the club’s new record-holder. The joy, however, turned out to be short lived. Just four minutes later, the hosts equalised through a speculative Ermedin Demirović flick (35’). Although the striker may not have known too much about it, Robin Zentner couldn’t get near it. This proved to be the last meaningful action of the half and the scores remained level at the break.

The penalty streak comes to an end, but Lee has the last word

Both sides came out unchanged for the second half and FSV continued to make it difficult for the hosts to play their game. Onisiwo had the first opportunity of the half, but he failed to test Gikiewicz in the Augsburg goal (49’). The home side had a chance of their own a few minutes later, but Mads Pedersen failed to hit the target (55’). Around the hour mark, however, the game came to life, when Jonny Burkardt was fouled in the opposition penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot and Mainz had a glorious chance to take the lead. It was Aarón who stepped up, but his effort was relatively weak and Gikiewicz made the save (62’). It was the first time since 2013 that Mainz have missed a penalty in the Bundesliga and their streak of 36 successful spot-kicks in a row came to an end. This setback didn’t dampen the guests’ spirits and they continued to look the likelier of the two sides. Onisiwo had another chance two minutes later, but his effort was hit straight at the keeper (64’). The duel between Onisiwo and the Augsburg keeper wasn’t done there, though. The Austrian tested Gikiewicz with a snap-shot a few minutes later but the Pole was up to the challenge and he made a good save (69’). With the game hanging in the balance, the gaffer brought some fresh legs onto the field. Fulgini came on for Lee, and shortly afterwards Edimilson Fernandes and Delano Burgzorg replaced Silvan Widmer and Jonny Burkardt.

The hosts didn’t create too many chances of their own, but Jeffrey Gouweleeuw nearly capitalised on a Robin Zentner error with just over ten minutes to play (79’). The Zerofivers continued to press for the winner and Bell was presented with a glorious opportunity from an Anton Stach cross (83’). The 30-year-old veteran, however, failed to hit the target and it looked as it time was running out. But there was one final twist to come. In the final minute of added time, Burgzorg took a quick corner and found Aarón, who put a trademark cross into the box. The ball found Lee at the near-post and the South Korean guided a header past Gikiewicz to give his side all three points. There were scenes of jubilation after the final whistle as Mainz picked up their first win at the WWK-Arena for almost six years.

Svensson’s side are sat on seven points after three games. Next up for the Zerofivers is a tough test against Bayer Leverkusen at the MEWA ARENA (Saturday 27th August 2022).

FC Augsburg 1-2 Mainz 05

FCA: Gikiewicz – Pedersen (85′ Caligiuri), Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Iago – Gruezo (85′ Baumgartlinger), Maier (68′ Vargas), Rexhbecaj – Jensen (68′ Pepei), Demirovic (71′ Hahn)

Mainz 05: Zentner – Widmer (75′ Fernandes), Bell, Hack, Leitsch, Aarón – Kohr, Stach (88′ Barreiro) – Fulgini (68′ Lee), Burkardt (75′ Burgzorg), Onisiwo (88′ Mustapha)

Attendance: 23,755

Referee: Sascha Stegemann