Adams hits first top-flight goal but Mainz stun Leipzig

Mainz 3-2 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Adams (15'), 1-1 Niakhate (24'), 1-2 Halstenberg (30'), 2-2 Niakhate (35'), 3-2 Barreiro (50')

Games between Mainz and Leipzig had produced 44 goals in the previous nine meetings in the Bundesliga and both sides looked intent on continuing that free-scoring run from the get-go. Marcel Sabitzer dragged a shot wide just minutes before the scoring was opened after 15 minutes: Sabitzer's rocket-shot bounced down and out off the crossbar and was poked home by Adams on the rebound for his first in the German top-flight. Nine minutes later and the scores were level, though, as Leipzig conceded from a set piece for the first time this season: Moussa Niakhate smashed the ball home after Dominik Kohr - making his Mainz debut - had seen his header saved by Peter Gulacsi. It took only six minutes for the next to come, with Marcel Halstenberg slotting home following Dayot Upamecano’s header across goal to restore the lead. Mainz, though, came level for the second time through the unlikely source of Niakhate again as he pounced from close range after the visitors' defence had not cleared Danny Latza's corner.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Mainz took just five minutes after the break to forge ahead for the first time. Danny Da Costa - another Mainz debutant - scorched in behind Angelino on the right, beat Halstenberg to the ball and crossed for Leandro Barreiro to deftly flick the ball past Gulacsi for his first Bundesliga goal. Mainz had scored three at home for the first time this season but continued to push on for more, while Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann made early changes to try and rescue the game. The away side began to pile on the pressure with Christopher Nkunku forcing a fine save from Robin Zentner with a curling strike just after the hour mark. Mainz never sat back, though, and continued to make life difficult for Leipzig. Karim Onisiwo almost headed beyond Gulacsi while Stefan Bell also fired a shot narrowly over the crossbar as Mainz held on to record just their second win of the season and dampen Leipzig's title hopes.

• In his 38th Bundesliga game, USMNT star Adams scored his first Bundesliga goal. He is Leipzig's 15th scorer of the season - a league-high.
• Niakhate scored twice in a Bundesliga game for the first time. Three of his four Bundesliga goals have come against Leipzig.
• Barreiro scored his first Bundesliga goal and became only the third Luxembourg-born player to score in the German top-flight.
• Mainz scored three goals at home for the first time this season having lost each of their last four at home. They had failed to score in that quartet of matches.
• Mainz beat Leipzig for the first time in four meetings. There have been a total of 49 goals in this fixture's 10 previous editions at an average of 4.9 goals a game.
• The 05ers' second league win of this season was their first on home soil, with their overall return at the Opel Arena this season standing at P10, W1 D2, L7.

Watch: Moussa Niakhate - "This is the way!"

Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell, Niakhate - da Costa, Latza (c) (Öztunali 66'), Kohr (Tauer 79'), Barreiro (Burkardt 86'), Mwene (Stöger 66') - Onisiwo, Quaison (Szalai 66')
Subs: Dahmen, Boetius, Kilian, Hack
Out: Brosinski (knee), Fernandes (match fitness), Kunde (knee)
Coach: Bo Svensson 

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Orban, Upamecano, Halstenberg (Nkunku 55') - Adams (Mukiele 77'), Haidara (Samardzic 61'), Sabitzer (c), Angelino - Olmo (Hwang 77'), Forsberg (Kluivert 61') - Sorloth
Subs: Martinez, Klostermann, Borkowski
Out: Henrichs (knee), Konate (ankle), Laimer (knee), Poulsen (groin), Szoboszlai (groin)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Watch: Danny da Costa - "A crazy feeling"