Soccer: Mainz earn key win over toothless Frankfurt

Mainz's Moussa Niakhate scores their first goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of COVID-19 on June 6. (Reuters Photo)

Mainz's Moussa Niakhate scores their first goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of COVID-19 on June 6. (Reuters Photo)

BERLIN, June 6 (Reuters): Mainz 05 scored once in each half to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Saturday and move three points above the Bundesliga relegation playoff spot with four games left in the season.

 

The visitors went ahead two minutes from halftime thanks to Moussa Niakhate's first goal of the season, and Eintracht, who are unlikely now to qualify for Europe, rarely threatened.

 

The hosts, who have now won only twice in their last nine league games, upped the tempo after the break but still failed to register a shot on target in the entire game.

 

Kunde Malong's solo run after winning possession in midfield killed off the game in the 77th minute and gave Mainz a crucial victory in their battle to stay up.

 

Mainz are 15th on 31 points with Frankfurt 11th on 35.