Niclas Füllkrug’s Two Penalties Set Up Werder Bremen’s 3-2 Win at Mainz

Füllkrug’s penalties give Werder the edge

Werder Bremen defeated FSV Mainz 05 3-2 at MEWA Arena, leading 2-1 at half-time. Niclas Füllkrug’s two recorded goals gave Werder an early advantage and set the platform for a victory that moved them to 12 points after seven Bundesliga games.

Füllkrug opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 7th minute, making it 0-1. He converted another penalty in the 25th minute for 0-2. Mainz responded in the 33rd minute when Anthony Caci scored a normal goal, assisted by Sheraldo Becker, to make it 1-2.

Ludovit Reis restored Werder’s two-goal lead in the 61st minute, scoring a normal goal assisted by Marco Grüll for 1-3. Lee Jae-Sung brought Mainz back within one two minutes later, scoring from Caci’s assist to make it 2-3. Mainz could not add another goal before full-time.

Mainz had more possession but not the result

The figures show a competitive game despite Werder’s win. Mainz had 53% possession, 552 total passes and 18 shots, compared with Werder’s 47%, 507 passes and 16 shots. Both teams registered eight shots on goal. Werder’s expected-goals figure was higher at 2.48, against Mainz’s 1.73, supporting the scoreline despite Mainz’s advantage in possession and total shots.

Ludovit Reis was booked in the 38th minute, while Mainz received late yellow cards for Phillipp Mwene, Benedict Hollerbach and Alexander Schwolow. Marco Grüll was also cautioned in the 89th minute. Neither side received a red card.

Werder move ahead in the table

Mainz went into the match fifth with 10 points from six games, while Werder were eighth with nine. After the result, Werder have 12 points and are two points ahead of Mainz, who remain on 10. Mainz’s listed recent form was Draw, Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win; Werder’s was Loss, Win, Draw, Win, Draw, Draw.

Caci was the standout performer with an 8.6 rating, contributing one goal, one assist and five key passes.