Mainz secured a crucial 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on January 24 in the 19th round of the 2025-2026 Bundesliga at the MEWA Arena, Germany.
The win marked a turning point for the side, which had languished at the bottom of the table for much of the season.
With two victories in their last three matches, Mainz now sit 16th, finally breathing a little easier after narrowly avoiding the relegation zone.
The match began poorly for Mainz. Just three minutes in, Mohammed Amoura finished a low cross from Saile Koumbedi, giving Wolfsburg an early lead.
Despite dominating possession afterward, Mainz struggled to find the equalizer in the first half.
In the 20th minute, Lee Jae-sung’s incisive run into the box earned a penalty, but Philipp Tietz’s effort was denied by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Grabara continued to frustrate Mainz, with Dennis Bąbrowski also blocking several promising chances.
The second half brought a shift in momentum. Substitute Nadim Amiri sparked the turnaround from a corner. In the 68th minute, Tietz converted Amiri’s delivery to level the score, and five minutes later another corner resulted in a scramble, with Stefan Bell pushing the ball home to give Mainz the lead.
Amiri sealed the win in the 83rd minute after a handball was called during a corner situation.
Taking the kick himself, he fired a low, rapid shot into the net, completing a performance that featured one goal, one assist, and involvement in all three Mainz goals, particularly the set-piece plays.
Lee Jae-sung played the full 90 minutes before being substituted, acting as the crucial link between defense and attack. While he didn’t register a goal or assist, his movements, box incursions, and pressing kept Mainz in control and led to the penalty opportunity.
The victory lifts Mainz off the bottom of the Bundesliga table, offering a glimmer of hope. Central to this resurgence were Lee Jae-sung’s tireless midfield work and Amiri’s decisive contributions. Mainz may not be safe yet, but they are no longer at rock bottom.
