BERLIN (Reuters) -Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo scored twice in the first half to guide them to a 4-3 victory in a thrilling clash at Mainz 05 on Saturday, stretching their record unbeaten run on the road in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen, who host European champions Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, moved up to 14 points in fifth place with their third straight league win while also extending their unbeaten league record to 37 consecutive away matches.
Spain international Grimaldo opened their account with an 11th-minute penalty before teenager Christian Kofane doubled the lead 13 minutes later, capping off a dominant opening spell.
Mainz briefly cut the deficit through Lee Jane-sung in the 34th but Grimaldo punished the hosts for two consecutive defensive errors in first-half stoppage time to slot in and restore their two-goal cushion.
In a topsy-turvy second half the hosts hit the post and earned a 71st minute penalty, with Nadiem Amiri putting them back in the game from the spot, but the visitors struck again with Martin Terrier slotting in from seven metres in the 87th.
Mainz still had time to score another goal — in the 90th minute through Armindo Sieb — but could not find the equaliser in 10 minutes of added time.
Despite scoring their first goals in a home game this season, Mainz, stuck in 16th, have now failed to win at home for a ninth straight league game, equalling the club’s record for the longest stretch without a victory at their ground.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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