Bundesliga: Dortmund crushes Mainz and revives European hopes

Borussia Dortmund handed Mainz a heavy defeat (3-1) on matchday 27 of the Bundesliga, in a crucial match for European places. Despite a modest standing, Dortmund showed total control against a team fighting for the Champions League.

The match turned at the end of the first half. Maximilian Beier opened the scoring in the 39th minute, before captain Emre Can extended the lead from a corner in the 42nd. At halftime, Dortmund led 2-0, keeping Mainz on their toes. In the second half, Mainz tried to respond, but Beier, with a superb header in the 72nd, made it 3-0. Paul Nebel reduced the deficit in the 76th, but the defeat was inevitable.

With this victory, Dortmund closes the gap to four points from the European places. Mainz, although in decline, retains its fourth place but will need to improve its game to hope to stay in the Champions League race. The last seven matchdays of the Bundesliga promise to be decisive for both teams.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr