Pro Sports

Dortmund secures Champions League spot with 3-1 win at Mainz

Posted May 16, 2021 7:00 am

BY CIARÃN FAHEY

Dortmund's Erling Haaland reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - Borussia Dortmund capitalized on a favor from Schalke to secure a spot in the Champions League on Sunday, while Hamburger SV's hopes of rejoining the Bundesliga were put on hold for another year.

Dortmund won 3-1 at Mainz to be sure of finishing at least fourth to qualify for Europe's top club competition.

Raphael Guerreiro opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Marco Reus converted from close range in the 42nd, and substitute Julian Brandt sealed the win in the 80th.

Eintracht Frankfurt looked set to qualify when it was leading Dortmund by seven points with six rounds remaining, but the team slumped once coach Adi HÃ¼tter announced he was leaving for Borussia MÃ¶nchengladbach next season. Frankfurt's 4-3 loss at already-relegated Schalke on Saturday was its third defeat in five games.

Dortmund's win on Sunday was its sixth straight, and it lifted Edin TerziÄ‡'s side into third place ahead of the late game between Leipzig and Wolfsburg, which needs a point to be mathematically certain of Champions League qualification.

A strong thunderstorm storm delayed the second half after a first half to forget for Mainz. Mainz, which was previously second-last and a strong candidate for relegation, was unbeaten in nine games under new coach Bo Svensson and it clinched survival through others' results on Saturday.

It seemed the celebrations took their toll.

'œNo question, we can do better,'ť Mainz sports director Christian Heidel said at halftime.

Mainz was much improved for the second half but Erling Haaland set up Brandt for his third goal of the season before Robin Quaison got the home side's consolation with a penalty in injury time.

HAMBURG DENIED AGAIN

In Germany's second division, former Bundesliga heavyweight Hamburg lost 3-2 in OsnabrÃ¼ck to end its promotion hopes for the third successive year. Hamburg dropped to fifth and can no longer finish in the top three.

Bochum, Holstein Kiel or Greuther FÃ¼rth are seeking to secure automatic qualification as the top two from the final round of games next Sunday, while the other will finish third for a two-leg playoff against the team that finishes third from bottom in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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CiarÃ¡n Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Dortmund's Erling Haaland, right, vies for the ball with Mainz's Jerry St. Juste during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

Dortmund players celebrate their sides second goal scored by Dortmund's Marco Reus during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, vies for the ball with Mainz's Moussa Niakhate during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

Mainz's Jerry St. Juste, left, challenges for the ball with Dortmund's Erling Haaland during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

Dortmund's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates his sides third goal scored by Dortmund's Julian Brandt, right, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst,Pool) The Associated Press

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