Mainz 2 - 3 Bayer Leverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen's Javier Hernandez hits hat-trick to seal late victory at Mainz - 7M sport

Mainz 2 - 3 Bayer Leverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen's Javier Hernandez hits hat-trick to seal late victory at Mainz



Posted Sunday, September 25, 2016 by PA

A Javier Hernandez hat-trick earned Bayer Leverkusen a dramatic 3-2 win at Mainz in the Bundesliga.

Yunus Malli put the hosts in front before Hernandez's first goal of the afternoon brought Leverkusen level.

Stefan Bell restored Mainz's lead before Hernandez equalised and then, in stoppage time, the Mexico striker grabbed a winner for the visitors.

After a cagey opening, Mainz created the first chance with Jhon Cordoba cutting into the penalty area, but he failed to spot the unmarked Pablo de Blasis to his left and wasted the opportunity.

The game then came to life with three goals in five minutes, the first from Mainz's Malli. Levin Oztunali raced away from Wendell before teeing up his side's prolific forward, who just had to stick out his boot to turn the ball in.

The home fans' celebrations did not last long, though, with Hernandez levelling within 60 seconds after Bell misjudged Charles Aranguiz's chipped pass and left the Mexican room to level.

A corner from Malli then gave Bell the chance to make up for his earlier error, and he did just that, even if he got a little lucky with the ball going in off his shin.

Leverkusen came out fighting in the second half and both Kevin Volland and Stefan Kiessling both made their entrances as Roger Schmidt tried to breathe new life into his side's attack.

Within minutes Hernandez brought them level with Kiessling making an immediate impact with an assist for the Mexican, whose shot took a telling deflection on its way past Jonas Lossl.

Hernandez hit the post as Leverkusen pushed for a winner, and they found it with practically the final touch of the game.

Jonathan Tah was the unlikely provider with a chipped invitation which Hernandez accepted with a header past Lossl.



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