Harry Kane converted a penalty with three minutes remaining to save Bayern Munich’s blushes in a 2-2 home draw against last-placed Mainz in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Mainz came from a goal down to snatch the lead thanks to an excellent Lee Jae-sung header, putting Bayern on track for a first league defeat since March.
So often Bayern’s saviour this season, Kane won and converted the penalty to keep Vincent Kompany’s side undefeated and extend their lead atop the table to nine points.
Borussia Dortmund’s draw at Freiburg earlier on Sunday had given league leaders Bayern a chance to go further ahead of their rivals with victory over a Mainz side, who have just one win all season and coach Urs Fischer making his league debut in the dugout.
Bayern’s teenage forward Lennart Karl continued his impressive form, turning in a Serge Gnabry cutback to give the hosts the lead on 29 minutes.
Mainz won a free-kick just before the break and William Boving floated in a clever cross right to Kacper Potulski, who powered an unstoppable header in from close range
Midway through the second half, Mainz’s Lee then headed his side into an unlikely lead.
As he did when scoring to snatch Bayern a draw against Union Berlin in November—the only previous time the defending champions had dropped points this season—England captain Kane was again the late difference-maker for the Bavarians.
Kane went down in the box under a challenge and coolly converted for his 18th league goal this season and his 29th for Bayern in all competitions.
Bellingham sees red –
Borussia Dortmund missed a chance to climb to second in the Bundesliga past RB Leipzig, conceding an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Freiburg after Jobe Bellingham saw red.
Ramy Bensebaini’s 31st-minute goal had Dortmund in front but Bellingham was sent off for a professional foul shortly after half-time.
The hosts made the most of their one-man advantage, camping out in Dortmund’s half and levelling things up thanks to an acrobatic Lucas Hoeler strike.
“We’re definitely disappointed,” Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel told DAZN.
“If the red card doesn’t happen, the result would look different. We had the game under control and were very dominant.”
Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy missed a header while unmarked in the box five minutes in, continuing his recent dry spell.
Guirassy scored 38 goals in all competitions last season but has just one in his past 10 Bundesliga matches.
Dortmund took the lead when Bensebaini smashed in a lofted Yan Couto free-kick from close range.
The visitors had looked comfortable but lost control of the match when Bellingham, as the last man, felled an on-rushing Philipp Treu on the edge of the box.
With Freiburg peppering the Dortmund goal, Kobel made a string of impressive saves but could not keep out Hoeler’s curling strike.
Author
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 14 hours agoFrance’s Saliba ‘fine’ after injury scare, says Deschamps
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday that defender William Saliba is "fine" despite...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 15 hours agoYamal, Williams should be fit for World Cup opener: De la Fuente
Forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams should be fit for Spain's World Cup opener,...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 24 hours agoEngland launch World Cup build-up in steamy Florida
England kicked off their pre-World Cup preparations in Florida on Tuesday, holding a light...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 days agoSotheby’s to auction Pele jersey worn in 1958 World Cup
The jersey worn by late football legend Pele during Brazil's 1958 World Cup victory...
By AFP