Mainz 05 draw 1-1 with SC Freiburg; Grifo scores, substitute striker equalizes to stay in relegation battle.

### Mainz 05 Draws 1-1 with SC Freiburg

In a thrilling match that kept the league standings on edge, Mainz 05 and SC Freiburg met at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Turnierweltstadion on Sunday evening. The encounter was marked by a tightly contested first half, with neither team able to break through the defensive lines.

In the opening minutes, Mainz 05 took the lead when Grifo, the club's captain and a key figure in their attack, scored from close range. This goal put the visitors ahead, but Freiburg quickly responded with a counterattack, and substitute striker Christian Pfeifer equalized just before halftime, tying the score at 1-1.

The second half saw both teams pressing for the breakthrough, but it proved to be a fruitless endeavor. Both sides struggled to create chances, with the game remaining evenly matched until the final whistle. As the clock struck zero, the match ended in a disappointing draw for both teams, leaving them tied in the table with four points each.

This result keeps Mainz 05 in the relegation zone, as they now face a tough challenge against bottom-of-the-table rivals like Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart. On the other hand, Freiburg still has some breathing room but must continue to perform well if they hope to avoid further relegation threats.

The outcome of this match highlights the competitive nature of German football and the importance of maintaining momentum throughout a season. Both clubs will need to focus on improving their attacking play and defensive solidity if they want to avoid falling deeper into the relegation trap.