Noah Atubolu Shines as Frankfurt Triumphs in Derby Against Mainz

Noah Atubolu steals the show as Frankfurt win derby in front of Klopp.

Jürgen Klopp came to watch. Noah Atubolu made sure he went home with a name ringing in his ears.

With the Germany head coach in the stands, Eintracht Frankfurt stormed to a 3-1 derby win at 1. FSV Mainz 05 – and their 24-year-old goalkeeper again turned the penalty spot into his personal stage.

Another penalty, another save

Frankfurt were already 1-0 up in the 43rd minute, former Mainz forward Jonny Burkardt having struck against his old club. Then came the moment that could have flipped the evening.

Mainz captain Nadiem Amiri placed the ball on the spot. A chance to level, to drag his team back into a derby that looked to be slipping away.

He never got that far.

Atubolu guessed right, reacted sharply and pushed Amiri’s effort away, adding another chapter to a remarkable run. It was his sixth Bundesliga penalty save in a row, every one of them a clean, ruthless denial.

Romano Schmid, Andre Silva, Florian Wirtz, Kevin Volland, Josip Juranovic – and now Amiri. All beaten from 11 metres by the same man. In Mainz, Atubolu didn’t just keep the ball out; he extended his own Bundesliga record.

For a goalkeeper who had angled for a move to the Premier League in the summer and only landed in Frankfurt on Deadline Day after a drawn-out transfer saga, this was some statement. Klopp did not need a scouting report. He had just watched a live audition for a first DFB call-up ahead of the international break starting on 17 September.

Uzun strikes twice as Frankfurt take control

The save did more than preserve the lead. It broke Mainz’s momentum.

Seconds later, Frankfurt pounced. As the home crowd were still processing Amiri’s miss, Can Uzun cut in and made it 2-0 for SGE right on the stroke of half-time. One huge chance at one end, a ruthless finish at the other. The derby had tilted decisively.

Mainz never really recovered.

On the hour mark, Uzun struck again. His second of the night, Frankfurt’s third, and the final blow to any realistic hopes of a comeback. The visitors were cruising; the away end was bouncing.

Only in the 89th minute did Mainz find a response, Phillip Tietz grabbing a late consolation that did little to change the story of the evening. This was Frankfurt’s night, and Atubolu’s in particular.

Not invincible, but in form when it matters

Penalty specialist or not, Atubolu is no superhero. His Bundesliga career from the spot started with three goals conceded: Julian Weigl, Lois Openda and Marvin Ducksch all beat him in 2023 and 2024.

Since then, something has clicked.

Six penalties faced, six saved. A record that now stretches across opponents, venues and match situations, and one that suddenly feels impossible for national-team selectors to ignore.

Klopp came to watch a derby. He may have left with a decision to make.