Lee Jae-sung (33, Mainz) has finally done it.

Mainz recorded a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the final match of the 2024-2025 season Bundesliga held on the 17th (Korean time) at the Meva Arena located in Mainz, Germany. By adding 1 point that day, Mainz rose to 6th place and secured a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL).

If they add more points here, Mainz could aim for their first Europa League qualification. The game was intense from the start. Mainz, who was pushing aggressively, seemed to take the lead with a goal from Hanche-Olsen in the 32nd minute of the first half. However, the goal was disallowed after a foul was declared in the preceding play following a video review (VAR).

In the 35th minute of the first half, Nebel finished a pass from Amiri to score the first goal. Even after the opening goal, Mainz continued their offensive. Lee Jae-sung took a shot in the 45th minute but was blocked by an opposing defender's save. No goals occurred in added time of the first half, ending with Mainz leading 1-0.

As the second half began, Bayer Leverkusen replaced Hoffman and Tella with Amin Younes and Robert Andrich. They quickly turned the game around. In the 3rd minute of the second half, Schick scored an equalizer from a penalty kick he earned himself. Schick then recorded a comeback goal in the 9th minute of the second half, flipping the score to 2-1.

However, Mainz's determination for European competition shone through. In the 15th minute of the second half, Lee Jae-sung earned a penalty kick, and Burkhardt successfully converted it to equalize at 2-2. Mainz kept aiming for additional goals. In added time of the second half, Mainz substituted Hong Hyun-seok for Lee Jae-sung.

It looked like this choice could work. In the 3rd minute of added time, Stefan Bell scored a goal, seemingly putting Mainz ahead again, but the goal was canceled due to a handball foul upon video review. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

[OSEN]