Bayern Munich were left counting their blessings after being held to a dramatic 2:2 draw by Mainz 05, one of the Bundesliga’s outsiders, in a match that underlined just how unforgiving the German top flight can be.

Before kick-off, Vincent Kompany insisted his side were fully prepared for a tactical shake-up following Urs Fischer’s arrival in the Mainz dugout. On the pitch, however, Bayern discovered that preparation alone does not always guarantee control — and they came within minutes of suffering a damaging home defeat.

The hosts appeared to be on course when 17-year-old prodigy Lennart Karl marked another milestone in his rapid rise. The teenage midfielder broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, finishing calmly to give Bayern a deserved lead and energise the Allianz Arena.

Yet Mainz 05 refused to play the role of passive underdogs. Both of their goals came from aerial dominance. Just before half-time, Potulski rose highest to head home from a pinpoint free-kick delivery, levelling the contest and shifting the momentum.

The shock deepened in the 67th minute when Lee Jae-sung completely lost his marker, ghosted between Bayern defenders and sent a perfectly timed header past a helpless Manuel Neuer.

Salvation arrived late — and inevitably involved Harry Kane. In the 85th minute, the England captain was brought down inside the Mainz penalty area. Kane dusted himself off and coolly converted the spot-kick, rescuing a point and sparing Bayern from an embarrassing defeat.

The final whistle confirmed a 2:2 draw — a result that feels like a victory for Mainz 05.

2025-26, Germany - Bundesliga

Bayern - Mainz 05 2:2 (1:1)
Goals: Karl, 29 (1:0); Potulski, 45 (1:1); Lee Jae-sung, 67 (1:2); Kane, 87 (penalty) (2:2)

Bayern: Neuer; Kim Min-jae (Jackson N., 73); Ito H. (Davies, 61); Stanisic; Kimmich; Gnabry; Goretzka (Pavlovic Al., 61); Olise; Bischof T. (Laimer, 61); Karl; Kane
Substitution: Davies (from 61); Laimer (from 61); Pavlovic Al. (from 61); Jackson N. (from 73)
Bench: Urbig; Upamecano; Tah J.; Guerreiro; Kiala
Yellow Cards: Laimer 77; Davies 83

Mainz 05: Batz; Maloney; Bell S.; da Costa; Potulski; Kawasaki (Nordin, 62); Sano; Lee Jae-sung; Veratschnig; Vick W.; Hollerbach (Weiper, 78)
Substitution: Nordin (from 62); Weiper (from 78)
Bench: Riess L.; Schopp K.; Hanche-Olsen; Gleiber; Moreno F.; Bobzien; Sieb A.
Yellow Cards: da Costa 50; Potulski 86