Grimaldo Scores Twice as Bayer Leverkusen Beats Mainz 4-3 in Bundesliga Thriller

Bayer Leverkusen edged Mainz 05 in a 4-3 Bundesliga thriller.

“The Bundesliga returned from the international break withUnion Berlin beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1, and before Der Klassiker on Saturday evening, there were several teams in action”

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Grimaldo powered the win with a brace, including a penalty goal.

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Martin Terrier scored late to secure the victory after Mainz rallied.

Mainz's comeback included goals from Lee Jae-sung, Nadiem Amiri (penalty), and Armindo Sieb.

Christian Kofane also scored for Leverkusen during the match.

The frantic finale came after Sieb’s stoppage-time goal tightened the scoreline.

Overall, it was a high-drama contest that Leverkusen controlled enough to close out despite Mainz's tense finish.

Refereeing controversy colored the match narrative.

Several outlets highlight that Mainz received a contentious penalty, converted by Nadiem Amiri, with Grimaldo booked for protesting.

Arab News PK

Asian outlet bastillepost specifies the decision followed minimal contact on Phillipp Mwene and was upheld by VAR.

The Toronto Star also flags the incident as controversial but focuses on Grimaldo’s booking.

Other reports confirm Amiri’s penalty without elaborating on the VAR element, aligning on the outcome but diverging on the extent of officiating detail provided.

Accounts of the match flow vary.

“AP Sports Writer (AP) — Álex Grimaldo scored twice and was booked for complaining as Bayer Leverkusen almost squandered a two-goal lead before beating Mainz 4-3 in the Bundesliga on Saturday”

Toronto Star

Flashscore says Mainz initially capitalized on a defensive error to score through Lee Jae-sung before Leverkusen regained control with Grimaldo’s brace.

In contrast, the official Bundesliga report states Leverkusen took an early lead through Grimaldo and Christian Kofane before Mainz’s response.

Statistical framing from FotMob underscores Leverkusen’s control with an xG of 3.47 from 20 shots versus Mainz’s 1.61 from 12.

RFI characterizes the overall pattern as a game Leverkusen largely controlled despite the late scare.

The result fits within various narratives about new coach Kasper Hjulmand's streaks.

FotMob reports that the win extended Hjulmand’s unbeaten start to seven games.

bastillepost

The Bundesliga site states his record is six unbeaten matches in charge.

RFI mentions an eight-game overall unbeaten run and a rise to fifth place, level with Dortmund.

Locally, the Toronto Star describes it as a third consecutive win under Hjulmand.

There are also differing accounts regarding the length of the away unbeaten streak.

Arab News PK claims an impressive 37 away matches unbeaten.

The Bundesliga site only notes that Leverkusen 'extended their unbeaten away run' without specifying a number.

Post-match implications differ across various reports.

“Kasper Hjulmand extended his unbeaten start as Bayer Leverkusen head coach to seven games after a 4-3 win against Mainz 05”

FotMob

Flashscore places Mainz in the relegation zone and notes a ninth consecutive home match without a win.

FotMob

Arab News PK similarly highlights Mainz remaining 16th and the same nine-game home drought.

Flashscore names Grimaldo Man of the Match and mentions Leverkusen’s preparation for Paris Saint‑Germain.

This note about Leverkusen’s preparation is also echoed by RFI.

The Asian outlet bastillepost broadens the scope by listing other Bundesliga results and flagging the upcoming Bayern–Dortmund clash.

This provides a wider league context that is absent in some Western mainstream write-ups.