Dortmund beat Mainz to keep European hopes alive

Maximilian Beier scored twice as Borussia Dortmund won 3-1 at home to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Sunday, keeping their slim hopes of European qualification alive.

Champions League finalists last season, Dortmund had lost four of their past six games to sink to 12th before the match.

Dortmund were without injured striker Serhou Guirassy but Beier filled the void as he gave the hosts the lead after 32 minutes, finishing off a goal he initiated.

The 22-year-old Germany forward gathered the ball in midfield, shed a defender and found Julian Brandt who whipped in a cross and Beier threaded the ball to Karim Adeyemi, who returned the favour, giving him a simple tap-in.

Emre Can doubled Dortmund's lead just four minutes later, heading in a Nico Schlotterbeck corner.

Schlotterbeck supplied Dortmund's third as well in the 72nd minute, floating in a superb ball which allowed Beier to head home, before Mainz pulled one back through Paul Nebel.

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac said there was "nothing more beautiful than winning in football", but added his side's work was only just getting started.

"We won today but with seven games left, we've got plenty more to do," Kovac told DAZN.

The win was Dortmund's first victory over Mainz in four attempts, including the infamous 2-2 draw against the same opponents on the final day of the 2022-23 season which cost them the title.

Dortmund now sit 10th, four points behind the European places and seven points back from Mainz, who are in fourth.

Despite the loss, Mainz are two points clear of fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach and are in with an excellent chance of a first-ever Champions League appearance.