Goretzka, Burgstaller score as Schalke beat Mainz, move to fourth

Updated: May 17, 2024, 12:39 pm

Schalke moved up to fourth in the Bundesliga for 24 hours at least thanks to a 2-0 victory over Mainz at the Veltins Arena on Friday night.

Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka opened the scoring as he chipped Guido Burgstaller's pass into the bottom corner with a brilliant finish for his third goal in three league matches after 13 minutes.

Max Meyer had a chance blocked on the half-hour mark as the home side pressed for a second, while teammate Amine Harit sent his shot wide and -- at the other end -- Danny Latza's long-range effort was kept out just before the break.

Schalke celebrate Guido Burgstaller's goal against Mainz on Friday.
Schalke celebrate Guido Burgstaller's goal against Mainz on Friday.
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Mainz tested home goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann further in the early exchanges of the second half but Yoshinori Muto was thwarted before Schalke began to dominate again.

Die Knappen's pressure paid off a second time and, with 15 minutes remaining, provider Burgstaller turned scorer as he tapped the ball home from very close range following a corner to seal maximum points.