RBL defeat Mainz 4-1

RB Leipzig defeated 1. FSV Mainz 05 4-1 on Matchday 18 of the Bundesliga. André Silva (21’, 61’), Dominik Szoboszlai (47’) and Christopher Nkunku (58’) were on the scoresheet for the Red Bulls, while Jae-Sung Lee made it 2-1 (57’). Alexander Hack was shown an early red card for handball in the 19th minute.

Mainz were aggressive in the opening phases and made it difficult for RBL to get into the attacking third. However, the Red Bulls press paid off early on. In the 19th minute, Szoboszlai won possession from Mainz’s Hack in a dangerous position. Moments later, with the goalkeeper off his line, Hack blocked Szoboszlai’s goal-bound show with his upper arm and was shown a straight red card (19’). Silva stepped up and converted to give Domenico Tedesco’s side the lead. RBL were comfortable with a player and goal advantaged and went into the break 1-0 ahead.

Christopher Nkunku was introduced for Yussuf Poulsen for the second half. After setting up Szoboszlai's goal to make it 2-0 (47’), the forward scored himself to replenish the two-goal lead in the 58th minute, within sixty seconds of Lee pulling one back for the visitors. Not content with a goal and assist, Nkunku didn’t stop there and provided the assist for Silva's second goal to increase the lead to 4-1 (61’). With a win to begin the new year, RBL overtook Bo Svensson's team in the league table and narrowed the gap to the Champions League places to just five points.

Statistics:

RB LEIPZIG:

Gulácsi - Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol - Klostermann (82. Wosz), Adams, Kampl, Angeliño - Szoboszlai (87. Raebiger) - Silva (68. Novoa), Poulsen (46. Nkunku)

Unused subs: Martínez, Tschauner, Hartmann, Ibrahimi

1. FSV MAINZ 05:

Zentner - Widmer, Bell, Hack - Brosinski, Stach, Boëtius (64. Barreiro), Aarón (82. Lucoqui) - Lee (82. Papela) - Burkardt (65. Nemeth), Onisiwo (82. Nebel)

Unused subs: Dahmen, Stöger, Bobzien

REFEREE:

Deniz Aytekin (Nürnberg)

YELLOW CARDS:

Lee (16')

RED CARDS:

Hack (20')

GOALS:

Silva (1-0, 21', 4-1, 61'), Szoboszlai (2-0, 48'), Nkunku (3-1, 58') - Lee (1-2, 57')

ATTENDANCE:

0 | Red Bull Arena

First half highlights:

1st minute:

Underway at the Red Bull Arena! Let's go, boys!

3rd minute:

Mainz are pressing the Red Bulls very high in the build-up and making life difficult for RBL in the early phases. Leipzig are confident on the ball but don’t have much access to the final third.

12th minute:

Poulsen crosses from the right into the penalty area. The ball clears Widmer and falls into the path of Silva. The forward can’t make enough contact on the cross and it goes wide to the left.

16th minute:

Yellow card for Lee after a challenge on Klostermann.

18th minute:

Gvardiol drives forward, cuts onto his weaker right foot and shoots from outside the area. Zentner gets down and just manages to turn the ball round the post.

20th minute:

Red card for Mainz! Hack blocks a shot with his arm and is sent off for deliberate handball. Penalty for the Red Bulls!

21st minute, GOAL for Leipzig:

Silva doesn’t need a better opportunity and sends Zentner the wrong way, firing into the bottom left corner.

23rd minute:

Perfect return: That was the 10th time André Silva stepped up to take a penalty in the Bundesliga. He’s scored every time!

28th minute:

Silva has now scored 46 goals in 75 Bundesliga games, which is a quicker return than that of the legendary Gerd Müller (whose 46th goal came in his 78th game).

35th minute:

RBL are clearly in control here, but Mainz are holding out.

40th minute:

Yussi tries to clear in his own penalty area but is penalised for a high foot. There is no contact against Lee, and therefore an indirect free kick is awarded for the visitors.

42nd minute:

It comes to nothing. The shot goes straight into the wall. That was Mainz’s first shot of the game.

Half time

Half time at the Red Bull Arena. After a courageous start from the visitors, RBL finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Hack was sent off for Bo Svensson’s team. From then on, RBL were in control and deservedly lead at the break.

Second half highlights:

46th minute:

We’re underway again with one change from Domenico Tedesco: Christo Nkunku replaces Yussi Poulsen.

48th minute, GOAL for Leipzig!

After a considerable VAR check, Szoboszlai's goal is awarded! Adams plays a long ball forward and finds substitute Christo in the area. He passes squares to Szoboszlai, who conrols well and finishes into the top corner.

50th minute:

That’s Szoboszlai 4th Bundesliga goal – all four have come at the Red Bull Arena.

57th minute, goal for Mainz

The visitors strike back. Onisiwo is receives a long ball and attacks down the left. He cuts the ball back to Lee, who shoots first time. The ball hits the underside of the crossbar and bounces down over the line.

58th minute, GOAL for Leipzig!

Less than 60 seconds after Lee’s goal, Christo replenishes the lead! Szoboszlai produces a great ball in behind the Mainz defence and our number 18 stays calm to chip over the onrushing Zentner.

61st minute, GOOOAAAL Leipzig!

And it’s 4! Silva’s second of the day! Nkunku carries the ball into the penalty area on the left. He makes space for himself and puts the ball into the centre, where André doubles his tally!

68th minute:

Silva takes a well-earned rest and is replaced by Hugo Novoa.

75th minute:

Christo shoots first time from a central position after a low cross from the right. Zentner is on hand and denies what would have been a nice team goal.

82nd minute:

Joscha Wosz now comes into the game. Lukas Klostermann makes way.

87th minute:

Bundesliga debut for Sidney Raebiger! The 16-year-old comes on for Szoboszlai.

Full time

A top second half performance blows Mainz away and the Red Bulls celebrate a perfect start to 2022!