HSV extend unbeaten run with draw in Mainz

The relegation six-pointer in Mainz ended in a stalemate as Hamburg extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Both teams were missing big names from their defensive departments. Mainz’s captain Silvan Widmer and HSV’s teenage sensation Luka Vušković were suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards on matchday 22.

The game had to be suspended for ten minutes due to traffic congestion around the Mewa Arena as well. The hosts started brightly, but it was Daniel Batz who had to make the first three saves of the game.

The in-form goalkeeper denied Fabio Vieira, Warmed Omari, and Robert Glatzel inside the first half-hour. Mainz roared back after that, but Nadiem Amiri uncharacteristically wasted a great chance after a superb delivery by Danny Da Costa.

The next ten minutes were consistently interrupted with fouls every few seconds as Silas miraculously avoided a second yellow card. To Merlin Polzin’s frustration, Robin Braun’s leniency made a huge difference as Mainz went into the break with a lead.

Amiri scored his 15th goal of the season in all competitions with a superb first-time finish after yet another inviting ball from Da Costa. The 29-year-old reached double figures for the first time in the Bundesliga with his seventh goal in 2026 in as many matches.

Braun was at the center of attention once again early in the second-half when he allowed Dominik Kohr to continue the game after a potential foul that could lead to a second booking.

Just like the half-time decision to replace Silas, Urs Fischer, who is celebrating his 60th birthday, decided to replace the red card magnet immediately. It took some time for the first clear chance after the break, but both sides came close before the hour mark through Nicolás Capaldo and Phillip Tietz.

And the visitors did find the equalizer with a slice of luck in the 65th minute. Phillipp Mwene’s big deflection made it difficult for Batz to save Vieira’s weak free-kick. The Portuguese midfielder also had the next chance for HSV, but Batz was unhindered this time as he caught the effort from outside the box.

Apart from two long-range speculative efforts from Jae-sung Lee, the game lacked chances in the closing stages. Before the game’s last clear-cut chance from Kacper Potulski, half-time substitute Sheraldo Becker came close with an improvised volley.

With St. Pauli and Werder Bremen going head-to-head on Sunday, Mainz could find themselves closer to the relegation zone at the end of the matchday. Meanwhile, HSV momentarily climbed over Union Berlin to sit in ninth place.

The UEFA Conference League participants will next face two teams still in Europe with games against Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart. HSV, who are now unbeaten in their last five games, host RB Leipzig before a rescheduled midweek fixture against Leverkusen.