MAINZ, Germany — Bayern Munich squandered its first chance to seal the Bundesliga title when it lost 2-1 at Mainz 05 on Saturday and will now have to wait for RB Leipzig's game on Sunday to see whether it has clinched its 31st German league crown.
Jonathan Burkardt stunned the visitors after three minutes, turning at the edge of the box and releasing only for Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to turn the ball into his own goal.
OH NO, MANUEL NEUER pic.twitter.com/61GbDr7lA7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 24, 2021
The hosts enjoyed a powerful start and twice hit the woodwork in the opening 18 minutes with the Bavarian defense in disarray but with Neuer making amends with a string of fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
The in-form hosts, unbeaten now in their last seven league games and having won three in a row, got a deserved second goal in the 37th when Robin Quaison drilled in a header from a free kick.
MAINZ 2-0 BAYERN MUNICH pic.twitter.com/lPxqbO4jYc
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 24, 2021
The Bavarians took control of the game after the break but created far too few chances until top striker Robert Lewandowski scored his 36th goal of the campaign on his return from four weeks out with injury, with the final kick of the game.
Robert Lewandowski Goal vs Mainz
Robert Lewandowski scored his 36th Bundesliga goal of the season.
He’s just four away from matching Gerd Müller’s single-season record set in 1971-72 pic.twitter.com/DsQLwOjhz3— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 24, 2021
The Pole is chasing Gerd Mueller's all-time Bundesliga record of 40 goals in a season set in 1971-72.
Bayern, who have three games left, are on 71 points, 10 clear of Leipzig, who play VfB Stuttgart on Sunday. The Bavarians will be champions if Leipzig lose.
Mainz, having played an outstanding second half of the season after collecting only seven points in their first 17 games, are now on 34 in 12th place and almost certain to stay up.
Mainz vs. Bayern Munich Highlights
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Clare Fallon and Hugh Lawson)
