Noah Atubolu Shines as Frankfurt Defeats Mainz in Derby
Jürgen Klopp picked a good night to run the rule over Germany’s goalkeeping options.
From the stands, the national team boss watched Eintracht Frankfurt dismantle 1. FSV Mainz 05 3-1 away – and saw Noah Atubolu turn the derby into his personal stage with yet another penalty masterpiece.
A former Mainz man strikes, then the big moment
The game already carried an edge. Jonny Burkardt, once cheered in Mainz, silenced the home crowd by putting Frankfurt 1-0 up. The Hessians had control, but Mainz suddenly had a golden route back into the match.
Forty‑three minutes gone. Penalty to Mainz. Captain Nadiem Amiri on the spot. The stadium braced for the equaliser.
Atubolu had other ideas.
The 24‑year‑old, who only landed in Frankfurt on Deadline Day after a long and messy summer in which he had actually been pushing for a Premier League move, stared Amiri down and guessed right again. Another strong stop. Another broken taker.
Sixth Bundesliga penalty in a row saved.
Amiri joined a growing list of frustrated names: Romano Schmid, Andre Silva, Florian Wirtz, Kevin Volland and Josip Juranovic had already failed from 11 metres against the former Germany youth international. In Mainz, Atubolu didn’t just preserve Frankfurt’s lead – he extended his own Bundesliga record.
With Klopp watching, it felt like a direct audition for a first DFB call‑up ahead of the international break on 17 September.
Uzun punishes Mainz as Frankfurt pull away
The psychological swing was brutal. One moment Mainz were a kick away from 1-1. Seconds later, they were two down.
Almost straight from Atubolu’s save, Frankfurt broke again. Can Uzun finished the move, and on the stroke of half-time it was 2-0 to SGE. The home side trudged off stunned; Frankfurt walked in knowing the game was suddenly theirs to lose.
Mainz tried to respond after the restart, pushed higher, took more risks. That only opened more space.
On the hour mark, Uzun struck again. His second of the evening made it 3-0 and effectively killed the contest. Frankfurt were cruising, their efficiency in both boxes the difference in a derby that had threatened to be far tighter.
Phillip Tietz finally gave the home fans something to cheer in the 89th minute with a consolation goal for 3-1, but by then the points were long gone.
A specialist with scars
Atubolu’s reputation from the spot is now bordering on fearsome. Six consecutive Bundesliga penalties saved is a mark no other keeper has reached in the competition, and he has done it while still at the beginning of his top-flight journey.
He is not untouchable, though, and the numbers prove it. In 2023 and 2024, his first three penalties in the league went the other way: Julian Weigl, Lois Openda and Marvin Ducksch all beat him from 11 metres.
Those early setbacks now look like the start of a transformation. Since then, every new duel from the spot has seemed to harden him. Quicker reactions, sharper reads, a growing presence. Against Mainz, all of that came together again at the exact moment Frankfurt needed it.
For the club, it was a statement derby win on the road.
For Atubolu, with the national coach in the stands and an international break looming, it felt like a loud knock on the DFB door.
