BERLIN – Kai Havertz impressed again when he scored Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 winner over Mainz for their first points of the Bundesliga season on Sunday.
Havertz, 19, was completely unmarked when he headed home a cross from fellow Germany player Julian Brandt in the 62nd minute.
Leverkusen missed several chances earlier on a rainy afternoon, and Mainz had a goal right after halftime disallowed by video evidence because Robin Quaison handled the ball before netting.
Leverkusen handed last place to last season’s runners-up Schalke, now the only club with zero points, as they moved to 15th with three points.
Mainz are seventh with seven points as they missed rising close to the top.
“I am happy with every goal I score, but the victory for the team was more important,” Havertz said.
“We had big aims before the season and then lose the first three, it’s a damper. Now we have fought back and can cautiously look ahead.”
Havertz won his first Germany cap two weeks ago in a friendly against Peru, and on Thursday scored twice as Leverkusen came from two goals down to beat Ludogorets Razgrad 3-2 in their Europa League opener.
The other two Europa League teams, Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig, meet in the later Sunday game.
Bayern Munich top the table with a maximum 12 points after a 2-0 at Schalke on Saturday, ahead of Hertha Berlin (10), Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen (eight each) ahead of the midweek round on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It's all over! A tense finish but @bayer04_en finally get their first points of the season! 👊 #B04M05 pic.twitter.com/ULbnktHoBa
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 23, 2018