Kramaric’s Double Delight Powers Hoffenheim to Upset Win Over Champions League Aspirants Mainz in Bundesliga

Hoffenheim successfully snapped their four-match Bundesliga winless streak (D2, L2), triumphing over the in-form Mainz 05 with a 2-0 victory at the PreZero Arena, thanks to a brace from Andrej Kramaric.

Entering the match, Hoffenheim found themselves struggling at the lower end of the league table, desperately in need of a win.

Fortunately for them, they made a superb start, taking the lead just four minutes into the game when Bazoumana Toure delivered a perfectly weighted cross to the back post, allowing Kramaric to finish from close range.

As the first half progressed, Mainz started to find their rhythm, registering several attempts on goal, yet they failed to challenge Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann effectively.

The home side then doubled their lead, with Kramaric on target once more. Once again, Toure provided the assist, finding Kramaric in space on the edge of the area, where the Croatian calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

After the break, Hoffenheim maintained their control over the match, coming close to extending their lead ten minutes into the second half. Arthur Chaves directed a header from Tom Bischof’s cross straight into the hands of Mainz’s Robin Zentner.

Although Mainz had only suffered one defeat in their previous eight outings (W4, D3), Bo Henriksen’s side was far from their best, producing six shots in the first half of the second period without managing to hit the target.

Matters deteriorated for Mainz in injury time when they were reduced to ten men, as Paul Nebel received a second yellow card.

Henriksen’s men could not create any meaningful chances as the match drew to a close, and ultimately, Hoffenheim emerged victorious with ease. This result elevates Christian Ilzer’s team to 14th in the Bundesliga standings, providing an eight-point cushion above 16th-placed Heidenheim. On the other hand, Mainz missed out on a chance to break back into the top four ahead of RB Leipzig.

Check out the match summary here.