Last-gasp Mainz penalty extends Gladbach's winless run

Last-gasp Mainz penalty extends Gladbach's winless run

With only three points separating the sides, the hosts knew a win would put them level on points with Mainz. After a lively start to the game, Eugen Polanski’s side laid the platform for that with a brilliant finish from Joe Scally.

The USMNT international scored from the edge of the box for his first goal since the opening game of the year against Augsburg. Sheraldo Becker and Nadiem Amiri, who started for the first time since returning from an ankle injury, had Mainz’s better chances in the first-half with deflected shots.

However, it was Daniel Batz who made the first big save of the night before Moritz Nicolas. The Mainz custodian stood his ground to deny Jens Castrop early after the restart. The hosts continued to search for the insurance goal as their departing captain, Rocco Reitz, next to test Batz.

Nicolas’ first save of the second-half came from yet another deflected effort from Paul Nebel. A couple of minutes later, squandered Mainz’s best chance for an equalizing goal when his header from ’s pinpoint cross missed the target.