Wild win in Augsburg: Mainz wins stupid sending-off game

Despite being outnumbered for a long time, Mainz 05 won against FC Augsburg – also because FCA striker Samuel Essendi stepped up and elbowed Kohr with impunity.

Essendi was sent off in the 70th minute at Augsburg on Friday, slowing down FCA's comeback. Mainz won happily 3:2 (2:1) after goals from Armindo Sepp (13) and Jonathan Burkhardt (15, 49). Augsburg came away empty-handed despite goals from Kevin Schlotterbeck (25) and Essendi (57) as well as a yellow card for Mainz's Nadiem Amiri (35). The club's Bundesliga record of 30 shots on target didn't help either – Mainz were more successful with just five shots on target.

FSV celebrated their first win (5 points) in the fourth round of the Bundesliga and beat Augsburg (4 points) in the table. “I'm proud, we gave everything, but it wasn't our best game.” Mainz coach Bo Henriksen told Sportschau. His Danish compatriot Jess Thorup also praised the Augsburg team. “We dominated for 90 minutes, tried everything and created a lot of chances. Only the last bit of quality and luck was missing.”

Sepp and Burkhardt with a header

Mainz started a very entertaining evening of football with a double strike. The Augsburg defence fell asleep at a throw-in and gave Philipp Moeni plenty of time to get through – Sepp scored with a header from six metres. Two minutes later, the Swiss Moeni set up the next header, this time passing to Burkhardt from his own half.

Augsburg needed a set piece to get back into the game. After a Marius Wolf free kick from the halfway line, Jeffrey Giuliot put the ball back in front of goal, where Schlotterbeck finished powerfully.

Al-Amiri bitter two minutes

The next installment of Amiri's withdrawal from school came. The Mainz player first received a yellow card for a complaint, and just two minutes later he was given a yellow-red card for taking off his shirt – in a harmless situation in midfield. “The procedure was not good” Henriksen said on DAZN, “We have to be smarter about it.”

Mainz, outnumbered, fell away. Augsburg started to run but did not score another goal until the end of the first half.

Essendy hits the goal first, then Kohr.

After the break, Mainz followed up surprisingly: Hyun-seok Hong headed in a cross from Ayman Barkok and Burkhardt fired the ball into the net at the second post.

However, Augsburg remained on the trigger and once again secured a deserved equaliser with a powerful header from Essendi. After that, it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser was achieved, but goalscorer Essendi made his move.

On the screen, referee Søren Storks saw Essendi kick Mainz's Dominik Kohr in the legs from behind away from the ball – a clear red card. What the VAR didn't show Stork: Just before that, Kohr had elbowed Essendi in the head – and that was also a possible attack. “Why doesn't he get red too?” Augsburg coach Jess Thorup said.

Zentner deflects an overhead kick.

Augsburg were also the much better team in the ten-on-ten game and came close to drawing level. In the 90th minute, substitute striker Steve Meunier tried a brilliant overhead kick, but Mainz's strong keeper Robin Zentner turned the ball around the post.

In stoppage time, Augsburg were awarded a penalty. Referee Storks took a long look at Sylvan Widmer's challenge on Schlotterbeck on the screen and overturned the decision. Widmer had kicked Schlotterbeck in the leg, but only after his failed attempt to shoot. Augsburg coach Thorup was still angry in an interview with Sportschau. “It wasn't a clearly wrong decision, so why did VAR intervene?”

Mainz were lucky to salvage their lead as time ran out. “It was a great game for the spectators today, but for us, at FCA, it was very disappointing.” Schlotterbeck said.

Augsburg have to go to Leipzig and Mainz against Heidenheim

In the next round, Augsburg will travel to Leipzig (September 28, 3:30 p.m.), while Mainz host Heidenheim at the same time.