Mainz into Europe as Stuttgart edge closer to trapdoor

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1. FSV Mainz 05 are guaranteed European football next season after getting the better of relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart on the penultimate weekend of the 2015/16 campaign.

VfB Stuttgart 1-3 1. FSV Mainz 05

Goals: 1-0 Gentner (6'), 1-1 Malli (37'), 1-2 Cordoba (53'), 1-3 Onisiwo (77')

Second from bottom at the start of play, Stuttgart made the best possible start when Philip Heise's deflected strike fell kindly for captain Christian Gentner to rifle in the opening goal from close range. Mainz had to wait until the 37th minute to get in behind the Stuttgart back four, but their long-awaited chance was worth the wait as Yunus Malli stroked home to level after a superb run from Karim Onisiwo.

Stuttgart were on the ropes as Mitchell Langerak denied Stefan Bell and Onisiwo headed against the upright, before the unmarked Jhon Cordoba stooped to head Fabian Frei's looped cross into the net shortly after half time. The chances were mounting up in Mainz's favour when Onisiwo rolled in an easy third to leave Stuttgart needing to beat VfL Wolfsburg on the final day to stand any chance of avoiding being automatically relegated to the second tier.

- © gettyimages / Matthias Hangst
- © gettyimages / Matthias Hangst