The Youth League witnessed a sensational match that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats! Mainz 05, the German U19 champions, emerged victorious against the prestigious FC Barcelona in the knockout game. The game which was characterized by high intensity and thrilling moments was to decide which team would secure a place in the round of 16. The nail-biting match concluded in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Mainz 05 winning by a razor-thin margin of 6:5. The game had been tied at 2:2 (1:1) after the conventional 90 minutes of play.
Mainz 05 kicked off the match on a high note, scoring their first goal from their initial significant opportunity. The goal was scored by Daniel Gleiber in the 25th minute, stirring up excitement among the 7,000 strong enthusiastic audience.
However, the lead was short-lived as the Catalans made a swift comeback. Noah Darvich (34th minute) and Dani Rodriguez (48th minute) flipped the game on its head, pushing FC Barcelona ahead. Yet, Mainz 05 showcased their resilience, bouncing back into the game. Philipp Schulz managed to level the score at 2-2 in the 73rd minute.
The game was ultimately decided in the nerve-racking penalty shootout that followed. Mainz’s goalkeeper, Babatz, showcased exceptional skills, saving Barcelona’s fourth penalty attempt taken by Marc Bernal. Until this point in the game, all the penalty attempts had been successful.
Unfortunately for Mainz 05, Gleiber, who could have sealed the game for them with the fifth penalty, missed his attempt. The subsequent attempts saw Mainz team scoring again while Pau Prim, the seventh shooter for Barcelona, was denied by Babatz. This turned out to be the decisive moment of the game.
In a truly stunning outcome, Mainz 05 managed to eliminate the two-time winners, FC Barcelona, from the Youth League. This victory will be remembered as a highlight in the history of Mainz 05’s performances.
