BERLIN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- FSV Mainz 05 booked their place in the group stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Rosenborg, overturning a first-leg deficit to seal a 5-3 aggregate win on Thursday evening.
The German side entered the second leg on home soil under pressure, trailing 2-1 from the opening encounter in Norway. Yet they responded with intensity from the outset, pressing high and creating early opportunities through Philipp Mwene and Paul Nebel.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 28th minute when veteran defender Stefan Bell smashed home from a tight angle after Rosenborg goalkeeper Andre Hansen had denied Lee Jae-sung.
The celebrations, however, were short-lived. Just five minutes later Bell misjudged a clearance, allowing Dino Islamovic to equalize with a sharp finish. Suddenly Mainz faced the possibility of another setback, but Bo Henriksen's men regained composure and struck twice in rapid succession before the break. First Lee powered in a header from close range in the 43rd minute, and moments later Nelson Weiper capitalized on a pinpoint cross from Nadiem Amiri to make it 3-1.
With the tie swinging decisively in Mainz's favor, the hosts continued their relentless approach after half-time. Amiri put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute, firing home from distance after winning the ball on the edge of the area. From that point Rosenborg struggled to mount any serious threat, as Mainz comfortably controlled proceedings and saw out the match with confidence.
The result sparked jubilation among the home supporters, who celebrated their team's first return to European group-stage football since 2016. ■
