Mainz 05 have reached the last 16 after a cup fight to remember. The Nullfünfer were actually already close to their goal, but had to come back for extra time. There, the hosts were helped by a stroke of genius.
After four league games without a win, Mainz came back on Friday with a 4:1 win against FC Augsburg. Coach Bo Svensson made only one change after that encounter, with Nemeth starting for captain Niakhaté, who took a place on the bench.
Bielefeld experienced their ninth league match of the season without a win in the 1:3 against Borussia Dortmund, with five draws and four defeats. After the defeat against BVB, coach Frank Kramer started the rotation machine and only keeper Ortega Moreno, Pieper, Prietl and Schöpf remained in the first eleven.
Furious start: Okugawa scores with a lob
The match started furiously, there was no feeling out. Shortly after kick-off, Burkardt’s speed gave him a free run, but Arminia keeper Ortega Moreno did well to thwart his great chance (2nd half). The Nullfünfer missed their first big chance, Bielefeld made their first big chance: After a Mainz corner, the visitors switched quickly, Wimmer found Okugawa, who scored with a fine lob over Zentner (2nd).
After this great start, the game calmed down in terms of scoring chances, although both teams continued to play forward. After just under half an hour, Okugawa’s shot was just blocked by Bell (28th). A little later Lasme had the 2:0 on the foot, his shot was saved by Zentner with luck and skill, the ball still kissed the crossbar easily (35.). The phase shortly before the break belonged to Mainz, who pressed for the equaliser. Burkardt (36.) as well as Lee (41.), however, failed against Ortega Moreno, and Kohr headed past on the right (43.). Thus, the visitors went into the dressing room with a narrow lead.
Burkardt and Onisiwo turn the game around
After the break, both teams continued to play forward. Lasme missed the first great opportunity, pushing the ball past on the left (47th). On the other side, Mainz came close to an equaliser when Aaron’s free-kick hit the far post (49th). A little later, however, the score was 1:1: Onisiwo’s perfect cross only had to be nodded in by Burkardt (53). The game went back and forth, there was no time to breathe. On one side, Lasme failed against Zentner (56.), on the other side, Onisiwo found his master in Ortega Moreno (57.). In this phase, there was a lot of tempo in the game – and the Nullfünfer turned the match around after a great start after the break: This time, Burkardt found Onisiwo in the middle, who slid in down the right to make it 2-1 (59.).
Klos forces extra time
After these eventful minutes, the game took a little time-out before Bielefeld went on the offensive. The Arminen threw everything forward, desperate for the equaliser. Zentner made a great save from Ramos and Prietl shot just past on the left (both 84th). But the deserved equaliser was still to come as Mainz became too passive and defended badly: Wimmer’s cross landed with Klos, who nodded in quite unhindered (89th). Both players were given too much space. So it went into extra time.
Two jokers find each other: Ingvartsen scores fantastically
In extra time, Bielefeld were more active at first, with Serra setting up a warning shot (94th). Then the match calmed down before Mainz pressed again. Szalai missed a huge chance as he did not hit the ball ideally and Ortega Moreno reacted brilliantly (105.+1). In the second 15 minutes, the 05ers stayed in it: Szalai shot at the outside of the net (108th), and Widmer failed to beat Ortega Moreno, who again reacted excellently (112th). In the 114th minute, even the strong Bielefeld keeper was helpless as Ingavartsen put the ball into the top left corner after a beautiful Szalai pass – two jokers lifted Mainz into the DFB Cup round of sixteen.
The draw for the DFB Cup round of sixteen, which Mainz are now looking forward to, will take place on Sunday. Mainz and Bielefeld will meet again on Saturday (3.30 pm) – then in the Bundesliga and on the Alm.
