Bayern Munich stretched their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table to 14 points with a last-ditch 2-1 away win in Mainz.
Mainz had the temerity to take the lead but a decimated, yet the defiant Bayern side fought back to seal an eight straight league success.
Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised with a sweet free kick immediately after the Reds went behind midway through the first half.
Just as the game seemed to be drifting to a draw, man-of-the-moment Arjen Robben popped up with a last minute winner to keep the Bavarian bandwagon rolling on into the festive period.
With the win, unbeaten Bayern claimed another Bundesliga record of 45 points at the end of the calendar year and can now embark on a well-deserved winter break.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Manuel Neuer, 7 -- This game may go down in the annals as unique for the German keeper, as there were none of those famous Neuer forays outside his box. He did though finally concede his first goal in seven away games and he may not enjoy a second look at Soto's nutmeg which put Mainz ahead. However, the Ballon D'Or runner-up did well to keep Bayern on level terms with a brilliant save from Malli in the second half. Neuer has let in just four goals in 17 Bundesliga games.
DF Rafinha, 7 -- It proved unlucky number 13 for the much-improved defender as Bayern allowed a first Bundesliga goal with the Brazilian in the line-up this season.
DF Dante, 7 -- Defended stoutly throughout although the Brazilian will have a sore head after a nasty clash on a ball in the air in the second half.
DF Jerome Boateng, 7 -- The World Cup winning defender is growing in stature at the back. He stretched his unbeaten run to 56 successive Bundesliga games, despite minnows Mainz putting up a brave showing.
DF Juan Bernat, 8 -- Another outstandingly display from the Spaniard, who was robbed by Robben's late antics for the man-of-the-match award. He has set impressive standards week-in and week-out since his arrival from Valencia. Accordingly, Bernat is the only outfield player to have featured in all 17 league games this season.
MF Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, 6 -- The 19-year-old Dane will only benefit from another chance to shine alongside "Fussball Gott" Schweinsteiger in the middle of the park. Unlike Shaqiri, the youngster may have a future at the club. Although, he did give the ball away cheaply as Bayern fell behind. He almost redeemed himself, but his rasping drive went narrowly wide.
MF Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8 -- After Mainz had upset the form by taking the lead, Captain "Schweini" grabbed the mantle and equalised immediately with a sweet free kick. Germany's new skipper's return to form and fitness is set to be rudely interrupted by the winter holidays. How inconvenient.
MF Franck Ribery, 7 -- The Frenchman was full of running throughout but couldn't quite unlock a resolute Mainz defence. He was substituted just after Robben's winner, getting one of Pep's bear hugs for his efforts.
FW Mario Gotze, 5 -- Endured a frustrating evening and his body language suggests the winter break cannot come early enough.
FW Thomas Muller, 6 -- Tried hard but only really caught the eye when tumbling in the box, which can become a little infuriating in the end.
FW Arjen Robben, 9 -- The dazzling Dutchman delivered once again, firing a last-minute winner just when the game seemed destined for a draw. He is Bayern's leading league scorer with 10 goals in 13 games, although this was his first strike with his weaker right foot.
Whilst on the stats, Robben is the only player in Bundesliga history (minimum five games played), to have scored more goals (65) than his team has conceded with him on the pitch (64). Not bad for a winger!
Substitutes:
FW Claudio Pizarro, NR -- Too late for a rating but the Peruvian did soon get the travelling fans to sing his name, unlike the man he replaced Gotze.
MF Mitchell Weiser, NR -- The youngster came on for the last rites to enable Ribery's moment with the coach.