Paul Nebel scored a dramatic 89th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory for Mainz over Eintracht Frankfurt at the MEWA Arena, extending their unbeaten home run in all competitions to nine matches and dealing a blow to Frankfurt’s European hopes.
Mainz made a flying start, taking the lead inside six minutes. A ball played over the top gave Nebel the chance to run in behind, and his right-footed effort took a slight deflection off Arthur Theate to loop over goalkeeper Michael Zetterer and into the net.
Frankfurt levelled midway through the half when Jean-Matteo Bahoya broke down the left and squared to Nathaniel Brown, whose first-time finish from 10 yards beat Daniel Batz. Mainz came close to restoring their lead moments later, but Kaishu Sano’s low drive from range went just wide of the left post.
The second half was competitive throughout, with Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan lively in attack. The Japanese winger set up Fares Chaibi, who headed onto the crossbar, and also went close himself with a first-time effort that Batz pushed around the post.
Mainz were denied a penalty late on after referee Tobias Stieler spotted a foul in the build-up to Sheraldo Becker going down in the area. Becker then hit both posts with a close-range effort, before Nebel had the final say. Nelson Weiper’s header was saved by Zetterer, but the midfielder was on hand to bury the rebound and send the home fans into wild celebration.
The win lifts Mainz three places to 11th, six points clear of the relegation zone. Frankfurt remain seventh, eight points adrift of the final European spot with seven games left to play.
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