Daniel Brosinski scored from the penalty spot and assisted Robin Quaison's winner as Mainz secured all three points against bottom side Nuremberg, opening a 13-point gap above the relegation zone.

Mainz 2-1 Nuremberg

Goals: 1-0 Brosinski (pen. 12’) 1-1 Margreitter (43’) 2-1 Quaison (73’)

Mainz enjoyed the better start to the match, with the home side taking an early lead from the penalty spot. Left-back Aaron Martin was fouled just inside the box and right-back Brosinski stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick. He calmly sent Nuremberg keeper Mathenia the wrong way to score his second goal (and second penalty) of the season. The hosts were dominant throughout much of the first half as Nuremberg struggled to put any passages of play together and came off second-best in duels in all areas of the pitch. The Franconians first threatened only in the 42nd minute when they forced Müller to push the ball behind for a corner. A minute later they were ahead, thanks to Georg Margreitter, who found enough space to power a header into the back of the net and send the teams into the dressing rooms level on a goal apiece.

The teams resumed the field unchanged at the start of the second half. Nuremberg seemed intent to pushing on from the high on which they ended the first 45 minutes and had the lion’s share of the chances, but a second goal was not forthcoming. However, just past the hour mark, the visitors had reason to celebrate as Slovakian striker Adam Zrelak managed to get his toe to a cross from the left flank and put the ball past Müller. Those celebrations would prove to be short-lived as suggestions of offside proved to be well-founded and consultation with VAR officials set the scoreboard back to 1-1. That would change with less than 20 minutes remaining and Brosinski would once again be involved. The goalscorer this time played the role of creator, crossing smartly for Quaison to power into the Nuremberg goal and restore the hosts’ lead. While a third goal failed to materialize, the home fans could celebrate at the final whistle as the 05ers enjoyed their victory.

Robin Quaison (r.) celebrates his winner for Mainz against Nuremberg - imago/Jan Huebner

Match stats

• Since May 2013 Mainz have been awarded 23 penalties in the Bundesliga. They have converted every single one of them, leaving them one successful penalty away from the Bundesliga record, set by Bochum between 1978 and 1982.
• Brosinki’s assist for Mainz’s second goal was his fifth of the season, making him his team’s top creator.
• Quaison’s goal was his fourth of the season, equalling his total from last season.
• Margreitter’s first-half equalizer was the 500th goal scored in the league this season. Last season, Bundesliga fans had to wait until matchday 21 to reach the same milestone.
• Seven of Nuremberg’s 16 goals this season have come from dead-ball situations; the highest percentage of any club in the division.
• Nuremberg remain in the midst of the longest losing and winless streak of any Bundesliga team.

About the players

26

Christian

Mathenia

1. FC Nürnberg

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Line-ups

Mainz: Müller – Brosinski, Bell (c), Hack, Martin – Gbamin, Kunde, Öztunali (Maxim 54’) – Boetius – Mateta (Ujah 82’), Quaison (Latza 79’)
Unused subs: Zentner, Niakhate, Baku, Holtmann
Out: Adler (knee), Berggreen (hamstring), Burkardt (adductor), Mwene (knee), Onisiwo (flu)
Coach: Sandro Schwarz

Nuremberg: Mathenia – Valentini, Margreitter, Ewerton, Leibold – Pereira (Löwen 66’), Behrens (c), Petrak (Kerk 87’), Misidjan – Palacios, Zrelak
Unused subs: Bredlow, Ishak, Kubo, Knöll, Jäger
Out: Bauer (thigh), Erras (muscular), Lippert (knee), Goden (illness), Mühl (flu)
Coach: Michael Köllner

About the clubs

1. FSV Mainz 05

MEWA ARENA

1. FC Nürnberg

Max-Morlock-Stadion