Fábio Vieira free-kick earns Hamburg draw in Mainz

Hamburg extended their unbeaten run to six matches as Fábio Vieira's deflected free-kick secured a 1-1 draw at lowly Mainz.

Both sides entered the match in good form, with HSV unbeaten in five league outings and the hosts having won their last three home games under 60th birthday boy Urs Fischer. The match started 10 minutes late after traffic problems delayed Hamburg's arrival, but once underway, it developed into an absorbing contest between two evenly matched sides with plenty at stake in their push for top-flight survival.

Mainz started brightly with Silas Katompa Mvumpa causing problems down the left. As the half progressed, Hamburg grew into the match with Vieira testing Daniel Batz from distance. The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when Nadiem Amiri met Danny da Costa's cross with a sublime first-time volley into the corner beyond Daniel Heuer Fernandes.

Nadiem Amiri celebrated his seventh goal in his last seven Bundesliga games. - Alex Grimm

Vieira's deflected leveller

Fischer replaced the cautioned Silas with Sheraldo Becker at the interval, while Dominik Kohr made way for Nikolas Konrad Veratschnig on the hour after walking a disciplinary tightrope. The equaliser arrived in the 64th minute when a Vieira free-kick took a wicked deflection off a Mainz player, leaving Batz completely wrong-footed found the back of the net. Becker nearly won it for the hosts with a volley that flashed narrowly wide in the 88th minute, but a draw was ultimately a fair reflection of an evenly contested affair.

Mainz are now three points clear of the relegation zone, while Hamburg have a seven-point buffer on the bottom three, who are still to play this weekend.

Man of the Match: Fábio Vieira

Vieira was the game's standout performer, capping an influential display with the crucial equaliser. Though his free-kick needed a fortunate deflection, the Portuguese midfielder's overall contribution was significant throughout the 90 minutes. He recorded a match-high five shots, displaying his threat from various positions, and kept Hamburg ticking in midfield with his distribution

 The 25-year-old's set-piece delivery also caused problems for the Mainz defence, particularly in the second half as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. His performance earned him 275 Fantasy points - the highest of any player in the match - and a deserved Player of the Match accolade with 41% of the votes.

Arsenal loanee Fábio Vieira showcased his technical ability throughout the match. - IMAGO/Harald Bremes

About the players

20

Fábio

Vieira

Hamburger SV

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 1.7 - Hamburg 0.88
Fastest player: Bakery Jatta (HSV), 33.48 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Fábio Vieira (HSV), 13.4 percent
Most pressed player: Philip Otele (HSV), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Jae-sung Lee (M05), 2.99

Fantasy Heroes: Fábio Vieira (Hamburger SV, 275 Points), Nadiem Amiri (1. FSV Mainz 05, 259 Points), Danny da Costa (1. FSV Mainz 05, 256 Points)

About the clubs

Hamburg

Volksparkstadion

Mainz

MEWA ARENA