Defender's Strike Not Enough as Mainz Snatch Late Point at Borussia-Park
Joe Scally gave Borussia Mönchengladbach the perfect start on Sunday evening, but a last-gasp penalty denied the Foals all three points in a 1-1 draw against Mainz at Borussia-Park.
The 23-year-old American right wingback opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a composed, well-taken finish—his first goal since netting in the first match back from Winter break against Augsburg back in January. The move was built from a headed flick-on by Haris Tabaković, which found Hugo Bolin in space. Bolin drove at his man before laying the ball off to Scally on the edge of the box, and the USMNT international opened his body and placed a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner, giving goalkeeper Daniel Batz no chance.
It was a clinical finish, but Scally's technique and composure made it look far more routine than the 0.07 xG suggested. He was equally disciplined throughout the 90 minutes at the other end, contributing five clearances, two of them headers, and four recoveries as Gladbach worked hard to protect their lead.
For long stretches, it looked like it might be enough. Mainz pressed continuously, and Gladbach had chances to put the game to bed, most notably when Jens Castrop found himself through on goal but was denied by Batz. Nelson Weiper thought he had equalized late on, only for VAR to rule it out for offside, and it seemed Gladbach would hold on.
But in the 96th minute, a foul in the box handed Mainz a lifeline, and Nadiem Amiri calmly converted the penalty to steal a point. For Scally and Gladbach, it was a deflating end to what had been a strong performance, extending their winless run to four matches.
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