Nebel nets thrilling stoppage-time victor as Mainz shock European chasers Eintracht Frankfurt

Mainz kicked off the match brilliantly by grabbing an early advantage after merely six minutes.

A long ball forward into empty space enabled Nebel to surge into the penalty area, where his right-foot strike clipped the extended leg of Arthur Theate, carrying it over the despairing dive of Michael Zetterer and across the line.

Before the game started, Frankfurt had witnessed both teams scoring in 11 out of their 13 Bundesliga away fixtures this term, and that pattern continued around the halfway point of the opening period.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya outmanoeuvred his marker and passed across from close to the goal line to Nathaniel Brown, whose instant shot from 10 yards eluded Daniel Batz.

Mainz nearly regained their edge shortly afterwards, as Kaishu Sanos angled drive from distance narrowly missed the left upright, leaving Zetterer diving in vain.

Following a balanced opening 45 minutes, Mainz endured a tense scare right before half-time when a dangerous low delivery into the box nearly resulted in an own goal by defender Dominik Kohr, yet the effort drifted just astray.

Urs Fischers squad were buoyed from advancing to the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals for the first time ever on Thursday, holding their own versus a Frankfurt team that had earned 11 points across Albert Rieras initial six outings as manager.

Ritsu Doan proved energetic throughout for Die Adler, nearly assisting Fares Chaibi soon past the hour, with the Japanese players delivery met by the Algerians header crashing against the bar. Moments later, Doan himself came close, his volley from the right of the box tipped wide by Batz.

The home team appeared poised for a spot-kick with around 10 minutes left, as Sheraldo Becker tumbled in the box, but referee Tobias Stieler, after reviewing the VAR screen, identified an earlier infringement.

In a nail-biting finish, though, Becker watched his shot from within the area strike both uprights, only for Nebel to emerge decisive in the dying seconds of regular play to claim victory.

Nelson Weiper nodded goalwards from close quarters, only for Zetterer to parry, yet the midfielder reacted swiftly to slot home the follow-up, igniting joyous pandemonium among the ecstatic supporters.

Mainz managed the closing stages to rise three spots to 11th position, establishing a six-point cushion above the drop zone. Crestfallen Frankfurt stay in seventh, trailing the last European slot by eight points with seven matches to go.