Bundesliga 

Result: Fortuna Dusseldorf 0-1 Mainz

Date: 30 November 2018

Venue: Merkur Spiel-Arena 

Fortuna Dusseldorf were unable to build on last week's 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich after they lost 1-0 to Mainz at the Merkur Spiel-Arena on Friday evening.

The game got off to a slow start, as neither side showing attacking intent in the ten opening.

However, it was a different story in the next ten minutes as Dodi Lukebakio came close to giving Fortuna the lead but his low strike from just outside the box was saved by goalkeeper Robin Zentner.

Lukebakio came close again for the hosts in the 27th minute with a looping strike that sailed narrowly over the bar.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin had an opportunity to break the deadlock for Mainz ten minutes before halftime after going through inside the box but he scuffed his effort wide, as the sides went into the break level pegging.

After a quiet start to the half, the pace of the game picked up after the hour-mark although Mainz were struggling to get out of their own half.

However,  Gbamin had a rare chance for the visitors in the 65th minute after making a lung-busting run on a counter-attack but his looping strike from the edge of the box sailed over the bar.

Two minutes later, Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock for Mainz later with a left-footed strike for his fourth league of the season.

The visitors were holding on and defending in numbers in the final stages of the game as the relegation-threatened Dusseldorf were desperate for an equaliser.

Benito Raman nearly produced an equaliser in the final minute,  but Zentner popped up with a crucial save to ensure Mainz walked away with three points.