Mainz comeback stuns UEFA Conference League rivals Fiorentina
Substitute Jae-Sung Lee scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Mainz overturned a deficit to defeat Fiorentina 2-1, maintaining their perfect start in this season's UEFA Conference League with three consecutive victories.
Match Summary
- 0-1 Simon Sohm (assist: Piccoli) 16'
- 1-1 Benedikt Hollerbach 68' (assist: Lee)
- 2-1 Jae-Sung Lee 90'+5 (assist: Kaishu Sano)
First Half
Mainz began confidently after earlier 1-0 wins over Omonia Nicosia and Zrinjski Mostar, but they fell behind when Danny Costa’s misplaced pass allowed Fiorentina to break. The ball reached Simon Sohm, who finished clinically from the edge of the area.
Goalkeeper Robin Zentner denied Roberto Piccoli a quick second, while Kacper Potulski made a crucial block just before halftime to keep Mainz within reach.
Second Half and Late Drama
After Piccoli wasted a promising chance soon after the interval, Mainz drew level through Benedikt Hollerbach. The forward, who had just entered the pitch, combined neatly before scoring to make it 1-1.
Fiorentina substitute Moise Kean missed a golden opportunity with a close-range header, and his side were punished at the death when Jae-Sung Lee nodded in Kaishu Sano’s cross deep into stoppage time.
“Lady Luck was clearly shining on the home side, who snatched all three points when Lee headed in fellow sub Kaishu Sano's cross in the fifth minute of added time.”
Next Fixture
Mainz will travel to Romania to face Universitatea Craiova in their next Conference League match on 27 November.
Author’s summary: Mainz’s resilience and late heroics sealed a thrilling 2-1 win over Fiorentina, keeping their flawless European campaign alive.