Harry Kane’s late penalty spared Bayern Munich an embarrassing home defeat as the Bundesliga leaders were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by bottom club Mainz 05 at a packed Allianz Arena.
On an afternoon that underlined both Bayern’s dominance of the league and their occasional vulnerability, Vincent Kompany’s side were forced to dig deep to avoid a shock loss against opponents fighting for survival. While the draw moved Bayern nine points clear at the summit, it felt more like a warning than a statement.
Bayern started with authority and control, pinning Mainz back and circulating the ball with confidence. Their pressure told after 29 minutes when teenage midfielder Lennart Karl marked a rare start in memorable fashion. The youngster reacted quickest inside the area to slot home from close range after good work by Serge Gnabry, sending the home crowd into early celebration.
At that stage, the contest looked set to follow a familiar script. Bayern dominated possession, Kane drifted intelligently between defenders, and Mainz appeared content simply to limit the damage. But football rarely respects expectation, and Mainz gradually grew into the game.
Just before half-time, the visitors struck a crucial blow. William Bøving’s teasing free-kick found Kacper Potulski unmarked in the box, and the midfielder rose to head past Manuel Neuer, silencing the Allianz Arena and giving Mainz belief heading into the break.
The equaliser shifted the mood. Bayern remained on top, but their play became more anxious, while Mainz emerged with renewed confidence after the interval. Kompany’s side continued to create half-chances, yet their finishing lacked its usual ruthlessness.
The real shock arrived in the 67th minute. Mainz defender Stefan Bell produced a moment of unexpected quality, clipping a perfectly weighted pass into the area. Lee Jae-sung met it with a sublime header that arced beyond Neuer into the bottom corner, completing a remarkable turnaround and sending the travelling support into delirium.
For Bayern, it was a moment of genuine alarm. Facing the prospect of dropped points against the league’s bottom side, they threw men forward in search of a response. Kompany introduced fresh attacking options, and the pressure mounted relentlessly on the Mainz defence.
Mainz defended bravely, blocking shots and clearing crosses, but the intensity eventually told. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Kane was hauled down in the penalty area by Potulski as he attempted to spin past his marker. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.
As he has done so often since arriving in Germany, Kane stepped up with ice-cold composure. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, converting his 20th Bundesliga penalty from 20 attempts and preserving his perfect record from the spot. It was also his 18th league goal of the season and his 80th in the Bundesliga overall, underlining his extraordinary impact.
The late equaliser ensured Bayern avoided defeat, but the final whistle was met with muted applause rather than celebration. While the draw extended their lead at the top, it also exposed cracks that stronger opponents may look to exploit.
For Mainz, the result felt like a moral victory. Bottom of the table and written off by many before kick-off, they matched Bayern for long spells and came within minutes of a famous win. Their organisation, resilience and flashes of quality offered encouragement as they battle to climb away from danger.
Kompany acknowledged the challenge afterwards, praising his side’s mentality to fight back but conceding there were areas to improve. “We showed character at the end, but we need to be more clinical and more solid,” he said.
Bayern now turn their attention to a tricky away trip to Heidenheim, while Mainz will take heart from a performance that proved they can compete, even against the champions-elect.
For all Bayern’s dominance this season, this was a reminder that no points are guaranteed — and that even at the Allianz Arena, complacency can be punished.
