bundesliga

Jonas Wind blows Mainz away as Wolfsburg snatch thrilling 4-3 victory

08.12.2024

Wolfsburg came out on top in a Bundesliga thriller against Mainz. Jonas Wind came off the bench to score twice, including a stoppage-time winner, as Wolfsburg came back to claim victory despite trailing on three occasions.

Wolfsburg 4-3 Mainz
Goals: 0-1 Nebel 9’ (assist: Lee), 1-1 Amoura 19’, 1-2 Burkardt 39’ (assist: Bell), 2-2 Tomás 57’ (assist: Amoura), 2-3 Nebel 66’, 3-3 Wind 84’ (assist: Mæhle), 4-3 Wind 90’+4 (assist: Arnold)

Both teams entered the match in fine form, with Wolfsburg and Mainz each boasting a run of three consecutive victories. The visitors were particularly buoyant, having gone nine away matches without defeat - their best-ever run in the Bundesliga. However, it was the hosts who would ultimately prevail in a contest that ebbed and flowed until the very last minute. The match began with an early setback for Mainz, as Danny da Costa was forced off due to injury in the fifth minute, replaced by Andreas Hanche-Olsen.

Paul Nebel (R) gave the visitors the lead with a neat right-footed finish from the edge of the box. - Ronny Hartmann

The match burst into life in the 11th minute when Paul Nebel fired Mainz into the lead with a clinical finish from 13 metres out. The Zerofivers' joy was short-lived, however, as Mohamed Amoura equalised for Wolfsburg just eight minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball in the six-yard box. The see-saw nature of the contest continued when Jonathan Burkardt restored Mainz's lead in the 39th minute, bundling the ball home from close range to send the visitors into the break with a 2-1 advantage. The physical and feisty nature of the game was evident, with Ridle Baku and Maximilian Arnold both receiving yellow cards for Wolfsburg, while Nadiem Amiri and Jae-sung Lee were cautioned for the Zerofivers.

Drawing Wolfsburg level (again): Tiago Tomás (L) celebrates after scoring to make it 2-2. - IMAGO/Darius Simka

The second half began with Wolfsburg manager Ralph Hasenhüttl introducing Wind for Patrick Wimmer, a substitution that would later prove decisive. The hosts found their second equaliser in the 57th minute through Tiago Tomás, who fired home via a deflection off Hanche-Olsen from inside the penalty box. Yet again, Mainz responded, with Nebel notching his second of the match in the 66th minute to put the visitors 3-2 up. As the clock ticked down, it seemed Mainz might hold on for a famous victory, but Wind had other ideas. The Danish striker levelled the scores in the 84th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, before dramatically winning the match deep into stoppage time with a well-placed header.

The man of the moment: Super sub Jonas Wind made a match-winning contribution in Wolfsburg's victory. - IMAGO/Christian Schroedter

Player of the Match: Jonas Wind

Wind's impact on this match cannot be understated. Introduced at half-time, the Danish forward completely changed the complexion of the game. His first goal, a powerful strike from outside the box, breathed life into Wolfsburg as the game ticked over into the final minutes. Then, his stoppage-time winner not only sealed victory for his side, but also showcased his match-winning abilities. Wind's brace secured a vital three points for Wolfsburg and demonstrated his clinical finishing and big-game temperament. His performance was a masterclass in effective substitutions and underlined his importance to this Wolfsburg side.

Despite the defeat, Mainz can take heart from their performance. The expected goals (xG) statistics, with Mainz's 2.82 compared to Wolfsburg's 2.01, suggest that the visitors created better quality chances throughout the match. This aligns with their two leads during the game and underscores the narrow margins by which Wolfsburg secured their victory.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 2.01 - Mainz 2.82
Fastest player: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg), 33.69 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-2 by Tiago Tomás (Wolfsburg), 19.85 percent
Most pressed player: Paul Nebel (Mainz), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Dominik Kohr (Mainz), +3.46

Fantasy Heroes: Paul Nebel (Mainz, 408 Points), Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz, 329 Points), Joakim Mæhle (Wolfsburg, 277 Points)