SV Elversberg opened the 8th matchday of the 1. Bundesliga by defeating 1. FSV Mainz with a strong 4:1 victory.
The hosts took the lead early in the 7th minute when Felix Keidel scored from a direct free-kick. The ball sailed past the Mainz wall and was unstoppable for goalkeeper Robin Zentner in the top right corner of the net.
Elversberg continued to extend their advantage in the 26th minute. After a decisive ball recovery by midfielder Lukas Petkov on the sideline, David Mokwa fed the ball to Francis Onyeka. Onyeka managed to break free from the Mainz defense and curled a shot into the far corner with his left foot.
The third goal arrived in the first half’s added-time period. Maurice Krattenmacher scored after securing a poorly cleared corner kick. By navigating past Paul Nebel and Nadiem Amiri, Krattenmacher struck left into the far corner to give Elversberg a commanding three-goal lead.
As the second half wound down, Cole Campbell scored the fourth goal in the first minute of stoppage time. Campbell received the pass from Nicholas Mickelson, who crossed into the central area. Campbell subsequently pulled the ball across his chest and finished with a side-foot shot into the near post.
Mainz responded shortly after. In the second minute of added time, Benedict Hollerbach scored the sole consolation goal. Sheraldo Becker pushed down the right flank before sending a low pass to the first post. Königsdörffer flicked the ball toward the far corner, where it bounced to Hollerbach, who nudged it into the net from close range to make it 4:1.
The intensity continued fiercely in the second half’s stoppage period, as Stefan Posch received a yellow-red card for fouling his opponent, Frederik Schmahl, in the fifth minute.
Following the win, Elversberg immediately climbs to fifth place in the table, while Mainz slips to eighth position.
