European football: Bayern Munich slip up at Mainz as Leverkusen close gap

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European football: Bayern Munich slip up at Mainz as Leverkusen close gap
Author: Reuters
Published: Dec, 14 2024 23:34

Lee Jae-sung scored either side of the break as Mainz stunned Bayern Munich 2-1 on Saturday to end the Bundesliga leaders’ unbeaten start as their advantage at the top was cut to four points. Lee struck four minutes before the break, the South Korea international pouncing on a defensive blunder by the lacklustre visitors. The 32-year-old then doubled the hosts’ lead on the hour, turning beautifully in the box to finish a superb attacking move that left the Bayern defence frozen to the spot.

 [Jude Bellingham scores for the sixth successive La Liga game with the equaliser for Real Madrid.]
Image Credit: the Guardian [Jude Bellingham scores for the sixth successive La Liga game with the equaliser for Real Madrid.]

Mainz moved up to sixth after inflicting a first league loss on the Bayern head coach, Vincent Kompany. The Bavarian side, missing eight players to injury including top scorer Harry Kane, pulled back a goal through Leroy Sané in the 87th minute but could not find an equaliser.

 [Dusan Vlahovic strokes home the late penalty that rescued a draw for Juventus at home to Venezia.]
Image Credit: the Guardian [Dusan Vlahovic strokes home the late penalty that rescued a draw for Juventus at home to Venezia.]

“We played against a team with a lot of life and spirit and they were prepared to fight for every moment,” Kompany said. “From our side there was not a lack of fighting. We did that to the best of our ability. Today we were not at our best.”. The defending champions, Bayer Leverkusen, eased past their hosts, Augsburg, 2-0 to climb into second place. Xabi Alonso’s side struck twice in the first half through Martin Terrier’s stab home and Florian Wirtz’s low drive, to earn their seventh straight victory in all competitions.

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