The points are shared as Mainz draws Werder Bremen 1-1

Far from the best example of the beautiful game.

It was honors even at the Mewa Arena on Saturday afternoon as Mainz tied Werder Bremen 1-1.

The home side started on the front foot, and they were the better side for almost all of the proceedings. They pressed the opposition, and they moved the ball around.

Bremen did have the first major chance when Marco Grüll was played into space. He did well to cut inside, but his finish was a weak one, as he slipped and hit the ball right at the goalkeeper.

Victor Boniface could’ve had an opportunity, but Romano Schmid couldn’t get him the ball. Mainz almost made them pay, going up the field and hitting the crossbar through Phillipp Mwene.

The 05er’s did open the scoring past the half-hour mark. An excellent save from Mio Backhaus initially denied Silvan Widmer, but Benedict Hollerbach reacted quickly to backheel the ball back to his teammate, who slammed it into the roof of the net.

Mainz were inches away from doubling the advantage early in the second half, heading a corner towards the far post. However, Amos Pieper heroically got in position to clear the ball away.

Werder finally grew into the game, and substitute Justin Njinmah broke free in-behind the defense. His shot was solid, but Robin Zentner got the tiniest touch to make the save.

It was looking like the hosts were going to hold on to a much-needed victory, but then magic struck with five minutes to go. A headed clearance made its way to Jens Stage at the back post, and he watched the ball fall from the sky before going for a first-time volley. His contact was perfect, and the ball curled past the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Both teams could’ve carved out one final chance, but instead the ball bounced around for a while before the full-time whistle.

Bremen will certainly be happier with the point, as they did not play well at all and were saved by a super-strike. Mainz, meanwhile, will be almost heartbroken at how things played out, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

The 05er’s stay in 17th, and they will travel to Eintracht Frankfurt next week. Werder climbs up to 8th for the time being, with a home match against Wolfsburg on the horizon.