Berlin, Sep 19 (IANS) Schalke lost 2-0 to Berlin to suffer its third straight loss, while Mainz overpowered Augsburg 3-1 to ensure the first win of the season at the closer of the third round of Bundesliga action.
Hertha Berlin caught a bright start into the new season after wrapping up the third win in as many games with a 2-0 win over struggling Schalke on Sunday. After a goalless first half, goals from Mitchell Weiser and Valentin Stocker smoothed the way for victory, reports Xinhua.
Both teams staged an evenly-balanced first half, yet both defences neutralized any offensive actions within the midfield. Thus, goal-scoring opportunities remained a rare occurrence in the first 45 minutes.
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After the restart, Schalke's Benjamin Stambouli tested Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein with a long-range effort in the 51st minute.
However, it was the hosts who grabbed the opener against the run of the game, when Stambouli caused a turnover in his own territory, allowing Peter Pekarik to set up for Mitchell Weisser who slotted home from eleven meters into the top left corner with 64 minutes played.
Schalke were shocked and unable to respond, whereas the hosts put the game beyond doubt as Valentin Stocker doubled the lead, left footing into the bottom-right ten minutes later.
With the result, Berlin extend their winning streak meanwhile Schalke wait for their first point of the new season.
Elsewhere, ten-man Mainz reaped their first win after beating Augsburg 3-1 in front of 25,115 spectators.
The "Nullfuenfer" broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the clash, through Jhon Cordoba who nodded home Yunus Malli's corner from the right wing.
Augsburg fought back and restored parity in the 73rd minute thanks to Konstantinos Stafylidis' long-range strike from outside of the box. It was however a short-lived period of joy for the hosts, as Mainz' Malli made it 2-1 before Yoshiniro Muto sealed the deal, bringing it to 3-1 in the 81st minute.
--IANS
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