Mainz and Hoffenheim played out a tense draw in Matchday 11 of the Bundesliga, a result that brought frustration for both sides but historical disappointment for the hosts. The visitors took an early lead in the eighth minute when defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous cross.

Mainz pushed forward throughout the second half, desperately searching for a response, and finally found their breakthrough in the 76th minute. A well-delivered corner created chaos in the box, allowing Danny da Costa to fire past goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and level the score.

The drama continued late on as midfielder Dominik Kohr received a straight red card following a VAR review for a reckless challenge. It marked the ninth red card of the season for Mainz — a new and unwanted club record that further illustrates the team’s turbulent campaign.

The draw leaves Mainz stuck in the relegation zone, winless for more than two months, while Hoffenheim missed a valuable chance to close the gap on the Champions League positions.

2025-26, Germany - Bundesliga

Mainz 05 - Hoffenheim 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Hanche-Olsen, 8 (own goal) (0:1); da Costa, 76 (1:1)

Mainz 05: Zentner; Mwene; Maloney (da Costa, 46); Hanche-Olsen; Widmer (Kawasaki, 46); Sano; Lee Jae-sung (Weiper, 67); Amiri N.; Kohr (till 88); Nebel P.; Hollerbach (Bell S., 90)
Substitution: da Costa (from 46); Kawasaki (from 46); Weiper (from 67); Bell S. (from 90)
Bench: Riess L.; Veratschnig; Bobzien; Sieb A.; Vick W.
Yellow Cards: Widmer 24; Kohr 86; Mwene 90; Amiri N. 90
Red cards: Kohr 88'

Hoffenheim: Baumann; Hranáč; Bernardo; Hajdari A.; Coufal; Avdullahu; Prömel; Burger; Toure B-a (Moerstedt, 77); Asllani F. (Bebou, 90); Kramaric (Lemperle, 58)
Substitution: Lemperle (from 58); Moerstedt (from 77); Bebou (from 90)
Bench: Philipp L.; Akpoguma; Chaves Ar.; Tohumcu; Prass; Damar M.
Yellow Cards: Bernardo 42; Hranáč 68