Karim Onisiwo strikes at the death as jubilant Mainz deny Freiburg
Freiburg were seconds away from a valuable victory after Ritsu Doan's second-half goal, until Mainz substitute Karim Onisiwo slotted home the most dramatic of equalisers for the 05ers.
Mainz 1-1 Freiburg
Goals: 0-1 Doan 55' (assist: Gregoritsch), 1-1 Onisiwo 90'+6
Both sides had their chances in an even first half at the MEWA Arena. Kiliann Sildillia and giant striker Ludovic Ajorque exchanged early opportunities before the latter had a goal chalked out for offside. With the home fans revelling in their team's superb home form of late - Mainz had won their previous four on the bounce at this venue while scoring 13 goals - those same supporters had heads in hands when Mark Flekken did well to save from Marcus Ingvartsen. No goals at the break, then, but the signs were there that this Matchday 25 encounter would not end goalless.
Freiburg were also enjoying a fine domestic run themselves - Christian Streich's side having failed to be beaten in five top-flight games prior to meeting Mainz. The Black Forest outfit also knew a win here would propel them right back into a fascinating race for the title. When the visitors eventually hit the front in the second half, it was in-form Doan who was the man celebrating, Taking advantage of some misscommunication between Robin Zentner and Edimilson Fernandes, the Japan international zipped onto Michael Gregoritsch's assist and rolled in his fourth goal of this campaign. Zentner later denied Vincenzo Grifo with a dramatic finger-tipped save as the visitors sought daylight. They would be caught in the lights as the game entered the sixth minute of added time, however, with Onisiwo swiping home to kick-start delirious celebrations for Bo Svenssons's men.
Match stats
- Onisiwo netted his 31st Bundesliga goal for Mainz, drawing level with the club's record goalscorer Robin Quaison.
- The 05ers are unbeaten in their last six top-flight games (four wins, two draws).
- Doan has now netted in his last two Bundesliga games. He previously scored twice across 23 matchdays this season.
- Mainz have failed to win in 12 games in which they have fallen behind this season.
- Freiburg scored with their first shot on target.
- Gregoritsch joins Grifo on four assists for the season.
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Teams
Mainz: Zentner (c) - Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes (Kohr 75') - da Costa (Widmer 67'), Barreiro (Barkok 68'), Stach, Caci - Lee - Ingvartsen (Onisiwo 60'), Ajorque
Unused subs: Dahmen, Aaron, Leitsch, Hack, Weiper
Out: Burkardt (knee)
Coach: Bo Svensson
Freiburg: Flekken - Kübler (Schmidt 85'), Ginter, Gulde, Günter (c) - Sildillia, Eggestein (Keitel 90'+3), Höfler - Doan (Weißhaupt 85'), Gregoritsch (Petersen 90'+3), Grifo (Höler 75')
Unused subs: Uphoff, Sallai, Jeong, Röhl
Out: Kyereh (cruciate ligament), Lienhart (muscular)
Coach: Christian Streich
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