During the 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga, Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV fought to a 1-1 draw at the MEWA Arena, securing a vital point for Mainz in their fight for survival.
The game opened with Mainz gaining the early advantage, while Hamburg’s threat largely came from quick transitions. Soon after kickoff, Fabio Vieira of Mainz tested Hamburg keeper Daniel Batz from distance, but the goalkeeper remained alert.
The match turned into a hard‑fought contest with many duels. Just before halftime, Mainz were rewarded for a daring right‑wing move. In the 42nd minute, Nadiem Amiri finished a half‑second pass from the edge of the box, putting Mainz ahead 1-0 from about eight metres out.
In the 64th minute, Hamburg equalised. Vieira converted a free‑kick from just over 23 metres. The wall’s block set the ball high into the right corner, giving the visitors a 1-1 edge.
As the match entered its final stages, Mainz applied pressure again. Sheraldo Becker and Paul Nebel created width on the flanks, yet clear-cut finishing remained scarce. Becker’s best chance came in the 88th minute when his shot clanged against the right post. The game ended unchanged, leaving Mainz with the point they needed to stay in the Bundesliga.