Borussia Dortmund 2 - 1 Mainz: Aubameyang brace earns Borussia Dortmund a hard-fought win over Mainz

Posted Sunday, August 28, 2016 by PA

Borussia Dortmund responded to Bayern Munich's 6-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday night by joining their title rivals on three points thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Mainz.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice for the hosts at the Westfalenstadion, although Mainz probably deserved more for their efforts.

Martin Schmidt's men did most of the attacking, but Roman Burki in the Dortmund goal did well to keep them at bay before substitute Yoshinori Muto headed in a stoppage-time goal, which was scant consolation for the visitors.

Mainz started well, forcing their hosts onto the back foot with the lively Yunus Malli looking a threat.

Dortmund were having to play counter-attacking football in their own stadium and one of those breaks saw Aubameyang denied by the fingertips of Jonas Lossl in the 17th minute.

However, the danger did not end there, with the Gabon forward putting Dortmund in front from the resulting corner. He stole in ahead of his marker to meet Andre Schurrle's deep cross and head the ball back into opposite side of Lossl's goal.

Given the soaring temperatures in Germany, a drinks break brought the action to a brief stop midway through the first half, giving both coaches the opportunity to relay instructions to their players, with Dortmund's Thomas Tuchel the more animated of the two.

Mainz continued to create problems in the second half and former Schalke defender Christian Clemens squandered a one-on-one with Burki as the Dortmund goal remained unbreached.

An 89th-minute penalty converted by Aubameyang finally appeared to settle Dortmund's nerves as they took a 2-0 lead.

Mainz made them sweat for the points, though, as they pulled a goal back soon after when Muto raced in to head home, but last seaon's runners-up Dortmund held on to victory.