Highlights
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90'
+ 5
Full-time!
Marmoush smashes over the crossbar and that is that. Wolfsburg's superb start - which produced three first-half goals - meant Niko Kovac's side could lessen the pace after the break. The Wolves leapfrog Mainz into seventh and move to within two points of Bayer Leverkusen.
Full-time
90'
+ 4
Fischer
The 21-year-old Kilian Fischer is on for the last few moments.
90'
+ 3
Substitution
90'
Wimmer over and out
Wimmer is through on the right and really should score here with just Zentner to beat. The Wolfsburg attacker smashes the ball high into the side-netting, and then gets ready to be subbed.
90'
Substitution
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
86'
Bornauw booked
Bornauw leaves his foot in and Anton Stach goes flying. Yellow card for Bornauw.
83'
Wind ovation
Wind is coming off. Big cheers from the home supporters. The Dane netted his third Bundesliga double today. Waldschmidt is coming on for Wolfsburg, as is Yannick Gerhardt.
83'
Substitution
83'
Substitution
81'
Almost four
Kaminski plays in Wimmer and Zentner - for some reason -is miles off his line. Wimmer knocks it over the goalkeeper but Caci is there to make a last-gasp tackle.
Wolves cruising
© Imago
74'
Zentner saves
Wind sends Wimmer through. The Wolfsburg attacker goes for one of this dinked finishes, but the ball barely gets off the ground and lands in the grateful hands of Zentner.
72'
Mainz memories
Mainz did once win after recovering from a three-goal deficit against Wolfsburg before: on August 28, 2010 right here at this stadium. It's not happening today though, is it?
68'
Bornauw knock
Sebastiaan Bornauw takes a boot to the head, receives some treatment and hobbles off. Let's see if the Belgian is ok to come back on here.
68'
Who scores next?
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
3
1.04
0.81
3
Goals
66'
One more booking
Aaron Martin flings up a leg and catches Wimmer with his studs. Yellow card for the Mainz sub.
65'
Da Costa on
Widmer is heading off with his hand held up to his face. That does not look good. Applause all around the stadium for the Mainz man. Danny da Costa is on for the 05ers.
65'
Substitution
63'
Widmer problem
Mainz's captain is down and the stretcher is coming out. This looks worrying.
61'
Double swap
Barkok and Ingvartsen are on for the 05ers as they chase something here. Things just haven't really clicked for the visitors today.
61'
Substitution
61'
Substitution
58'
Svanberg sighter
Svanberg smacks one over the bar from outside the box.
56'
Shot kings
Shots
2
2
Jonas Wind Karim Onisiwo
56'
Shooting boots
Mainz sub Aaron Martin thumps a left-footed volley at goal from distance. The ball bounces wide of the upright.
54'
Kohr booked
Kohr catches Nmecha with an elbow when both players are in the air. Yellow card for the Mainz man.
52'
Bit of a lull
When in possession, both sides are knocking it around without too much urgency. Wolfsburg would leapfrog Mainz into seventh if things stay like this.
46'
Changes all around
Nicolas Cozza is on for the hosts while Mainz have made a double change, with Aaron Martin and Anton Stach now in the mix.
46'
Off we go again
Wolfsburg get us back underway in the second half.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 3
Substitution
45'
+ 3
Substitution
45'
+ 3
Substitution
45'
+ 3
Break time
The Mainz dressing-room might need sound-proofing with Bo Svensson set to give a stern half-time team-talk. Wolfsburg are flying at the break.
Half-time
45'
+ 2
Bell in the book
Bell clobbers Wimmer, who is in full flight, and the Mainz man is booked.
45'
+ 2
43'
History (almost) repeating
In this fixture last season at the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg were 3-0 up against Mainz after 35 minutes, and 5-0 up at half time.
42'
Visiting chance
Kohr plays it to Widmer, who shoots first time. Over the top. Ajorque may have been offside in that move.
39'
Effective Wolves
Goal attempts
3off target
3on target
3off target
2on target
38'
05ers chance
Suddenly Onisiwo is right in front of Casteels. The Mainz forward sticks out a leg and sends the ball goalwards. Wolfsburg's keeper blocks.
35'
Wimmer has a pop
The Wolfsburg No. 39 drags a shot across the face of the goal.
32'
Mainz slumping
Fernandes takes a corner on the left and flights the ball ... to nobody, really. The ball bounces wide. On the touchline, Bo Svensson shakes his head. His side are having a 'mare here.
30'
Brilliant Baku
Superb work from Baku on the right. The Mainz defence is very static but Baku still has work to do. He scuffs a cross to the back stick and Wind is there again to tap in from a tight angle.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
23'
All Wolfsburg
Wind and Baku combine and it's almost a third for Wolfsburg. Mainz get the block in and concede a corner.
19'
Header specialist
Sebastiaan Bornauw does like to use his noggin. Of the Belgian's nine Bundesliga goals, seven have been scored with his head.
16'
Boys in green on top
Possession (%)
6436
14'
Wolves on fire
Some sustained Wolfsburg pressure. The ball pops out to Wimmer, who flights an inviting cross into the mixer. Bornauw angles a brilliant header high towards the near post and in. The Wolves are feasting.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
12'
Lee threat
Mainz finally get forward and Lee connects with a pass over the top. Casteels chests that one away.
10'
Wolfsburg come again
Mainz are up against it here early doors. Wind feeds Baku through on the left. The centre could have been deadly, but Fernandes is alive to it and cuts out for a corner, which comes to nothing.
7'
Nervy 05ers
Mainz survive a fright. Barreiro pokes the ball towards his own goal. Robin Zentner grapples with it but manages to hold on.
5'
Hosts lead
Classy goal. Wolfsburg persist and win back possession high up. The ball slides back to Mattias Svanberg, who plays a delicious, no-look through ball in for Wind. The Wolfsburg attacker dinks a fine finish home for 1-0.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
2'
Mainz shoot first
Kohr hooks a volley wide. Onisiwo then heads over moments later. Solid start by the visitors.
1'
Game on!
Let's get this party started.
Kick-off!
Teams out!
Team huddles done and we're all set to go at the Volkswagen Arena!
Team news
© Imago
Wolfsburg starting XI
Casteels - Bornauw, Guilavogui, Lacroix - Baku, Arnold (c), F. Nmecha, Kaminski - Svanberg, Wind, Wimmer
Wolfsburg subs
Pervan, Cozza, Odogu, Fischer, Gerhardt, Ambros, Waldschmidt, Pejcinovic, Marmoush
Mainz starting XI
Zentner - Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes - Widmer (c), Barreiro, Kohr, Caci - Lee, Onisiwo - Ajorque
Mainz subs
Dahmen, Aaron, Hack, da Costa, Stach, Barkok, Burgzorg, Ingvartsen, Weiper
Predicted Wolfsburg XI
Casteels - Baku, Bornauw, Lacroix, Cozza - Svanberg, Arnold (c), F. Nmecha - Wimmer, Wind, Kaminski
Early team news: Wolfsburg
© Oliver Hardt/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
Predicted Mainz XI
Zentner - Fernandes, Bell, Hanche-Olsen - Widmer (c), Barreiro, Kohr, Caci - Stach, Onisiwo - Ajorque
Early team news: Mainz
Jonathan Burkardt remains the only long-term absentee for the 05ers, with Maxim Leitsch a doubt as he regains match fitness. Jae-sung Lee may be unseated by Anton Stach in support of Ludovic Ajorque, but Svensson has little reason to change anything given his team's current form.
Coach view: Wolfsburg
Niko Kovac: "A win will keep us in the running [for Europe], but a defeat will make it more difficult. We know how important the game is in that regard, and the quality of the opposition."
Coach view: Mainz
Bo Svensson: "We've been continuing to work as normal. If we win or lose 10 games in a row, the approach remains the same. We have good quality in our squad and need every player. Both [Wolfsburg and ourselves] are in good shape, so I imagine it will be a very close game."
3:02
Watch: Up the Mainz!
2:03
Watch: Bochum 1-5 Wolfsburg - highlights
2:03
Watch: Mainz 3-1 Bayern - highlights
Prowling Wolves
Wolfsburg are just two points behind Mainz. A top-four finish is almost certainly beyond both clubs, but there are a further two European qualification spots to contest - possibly three depending on how this season's DFB Cup plays out.
Up the Mainz!
The 05ers penned the story of Matchday 29 by coming from behind to beat Bayern Munich 3-1. Bo Svensson's team are now unbeaten in a club record 10 Bundesliga matches, and sit just two points outside the top six with five rounds of fixtures still to play.