Jairo Samperio scored twice as Mainz 05 extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to five matches by claiming a 3-1 win over Hamburger SV this afternoon.
The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute in bizarre fashion when Samperio responded to a cross being blocked by volleying the loose ball into the net while on the floor in the box.
Hamburg could have been back on level terms moments later when Michael Gregoritsch was gifted too much space on the edge of the box, but he could only send an effort wide of the post.
After falling behind so early, the hosts controlled the tempo for long spells but they remained vulnerable at the back as Pierre Bengtsson forced Jaroslav Drobny into a fine save.
A second goal came early in the second half as Yunus Malli attracted the attention of two defenders in the box before teeing up Samperio, who fired home from a tight angle to silence the home fans once again.
Hamburg threatened to pull a goal back just a few minutes later, but Lewis Holtby was left frustrated as his curling effort drifted a few inches wide of the post.
Mainz always looked a threat, though, and they wrapped up a clinical display in style as Yoshinori Muto and Samperio linked up on the break to set up Christian Clemens, who fired past Drobny to put the result beyond doubt.
The hosts found a consolation late on when Johan Djourou headed home from Holtby's inviting cross, but it was not enough to halt the celebrations from the travelling fans.
Callum Mulvihill
