Bayern's Bundesliga celebrations on hold after Mainz loss

Bayern Munich missed the chance to clinch the Bundesliga title when it lost at relegation-threatened Mainz 2-1 on Saturday.

First-half goals from Jonathan Burkardt and Robin Quaison put Bayern’s title celebrations on hold and lifted Mainz five points clear of the relegation zone after a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season.

Robert Lewandowski returned from a month out with a knee injury to score for Bayern in the fourth minute of injury time and take his season tally to 36, but it was too late for the eight-time defending champions.

Bayern's Thomas Mueller reacts after Mainz scored the second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Bayern could still win the title this weekend, depending on how second-placed Leipzig fares against Stuttgart on Sunday. A Leipzig defeat would hand Bayern the title with three games to spare, but anything else means the Bavarian powerhouse will have to wait. Bayern hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend in the next opportunity to win the league.

Mainz forward Burkardt opened the scoring in the third minute when Bayern captain Manuel Neuer was deceived by his centrally placed shot.

Neuer reacted well to deny Mainz a second goal minutes later, then again in the 16th, a minute after Lewandowski had Bayern’s first chance.

Mainz's Karim Onisiwo, left, and Bayern's Joshua Kimmich challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

But Quaison headed Mainz’s second goal in the 37th when he beat Thomas Müller and David Alaba to meet Phillipp Mwene’s free kick.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick reacted with three changes at the break, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Jamal Musiala replacing the ineffective Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman, and Tanguy Nianzou going on for Leon Goretzka, who was in danger of a second booking.

Bayern came back from 2-0 down to win the reverse fixture 5-2 in Munich on Jan. 3, but Mainz is a different prospect since Bo Svensson took over as coach the following day. Mainz is unbeaten in seven games with five wins in that run.

Bayern's Leon Goretzka, right, reacts besides team mate Robert Lewandowski after Mainz scored during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Erling Haaland scored twice for Borussia Dortmund to beat third-placed Wolfsburg 2-0 and pressure Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of its late game at Bayer Leverkusen. Frankfurt is only a point ahead of Dortmund in fourth, the last place for Champions League qualification.

Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo celebrated his first start since March with a hat trick for Union Berlin to beat Werder Bremen 3-1 and stretch the visitors’ losing run to seven games.

Union also boosted its chances of Europa League football by cutting the gap on sixth-placed Leverkusen to just one point ahead of the late game.

Mainz's Phillipp Mwene, left, Bayern's Jamal Musiala and Mainz's Robin Quaison challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Also, Freiburg drew with Hoffenheim 1-1.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Bayern's Joshua Kimmich, left, and Mainz's Jean-Paul Boetius challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Bayern's head coach Hans-Dieter Flick, left, and sport director Hasan Salihamidzic watch their team during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Bayern's head coach Hans-Dieter Flick, right, and Bayern's Joshua Kimmich shake hands after the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Mainz's Alexander Hack, from left, Mainz's goalkeeper Robin Zentner, and Mainz's Moussa Niakhate celebrate after the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (AP Photodpa via AP)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland celebrates his 2nd goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Swen Pfoertnerdpa via AP)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland, center, has scored a goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Swen Pfoertnerdpa via AP)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland , center, celebrates his side's opening goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Swen Pfoertnerdpa via AP)