Köln surrender two-goal lead to draw with Mainz

FC Köln, with a 2-0 lead, were on track to resume their fight for a place in the Europa League until FSV Mainz came back to level the game at 2-2.

The home team took an early lead through Mark Uth, who dispatched the penalty he was awarded after being brought down by Moussa Niakhate in the box. Mainz, however, picked up the pace after giving away an early lead and created a couple of great chances for themselves.

The pressure started to build on Timo Horn’s goal, with clear-cut chances for Jean-Paul Boëtius and Karim Onisiwo. Toni Leistner, who lunged to save his team, spectacularly blocked the former’s shot from about eight yards, from what looked like a certain goal. Whereas, the latter’s shot was tipped behind for a corner by Horn.

Mainz looked certain to draw level before the first 45 minutes concluded. However, after failing to do so, things got worse, as their start to the second half wasn’t far different from their start to the first half. Köln extended their lead in the 53rd minute when substitute Dominick Drexler found Florian Kainz at the far post, who headed the ball into the back of the net.

The Billy Goats were so close to making it three, but Florian Muller parried away Ellyes Skhiri’s close-range shot. The game seemed done and dusted, however, Robin Quaison, Mainz’s star player this season, had other ideas in mind. Quaison’s exquisite through ball gave Bote Baku the space to fire in a cross right in front of the goalkeeper where super-sub Taiwo Awoniyi was on hand to tap the ball in.

Mainz’s dominance between the 60th and 75th minute reaped great dividends, as they levelled the game in the 71st minute through Pierre Kunde who motored past Köln‘s central defence with ease and slotted the ball to the side of Horn at his near post.

The last 15 minutes of the game were exhilarating, with brilliant openings on either side of the halfway line. Jhon Córdoba with his striking prowess had two chances which he would normally dispatch. But it wasn’t meant to be for the home side and Köln will now rue on the two points they’ve dropped.

Lineups:

Köln: Horn, Schmitz (Ehizibue 84′), Katterbach, Leistner, Bornauw, Skhiri, Kainz (Schindler 71′), Hector (Rexhbecaj 76′), Uth, Thielmann (Drexler 45′), Cordoba (Terodde84′)

Mainz: Muller, St. Juste, Caricol, Niakhate, Baku, Boetius (Barreiro 84′), Fernandes (Szalai 69′), Kunde (Latza 84′), Onisiwo (Burkardt84′), Ji (Awoniyi 56′), Quaison