Mateta's hat trick helps Mainz rout Freiburg in Bundesliga
MAINZ, Germany (AP) — Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat trick as Mainz routed Freiburg 5-0 on Friday to swap spots and move into 12th place in the Bundesliga.
Freiburg made the better start and even struck the crossbar early on, but a mistake from Alexander Schwolow got Mainz underway in the 20th minute. The Freiburg goalkeeper's attempted pass went straight to Mainz midfielder Jean-Paul Boetius, who gratefully returned it to the unguarded net.
Boetius set up Mateta's first on a counterattack six minutes later, and was again involved when he played Spanish defender Aaron in to set up Mateta's second in the 33rd.
Freiburg had had almost 75% possession, was winning more challenges and had had more efforts on goal.
Coach Christian Streich made two changes at the break, but Freiburg found Mainz goalkeeper Florian Mueller in excellent form — and was again dealt a lesson in efficiency.
Karim Onisiwo made it 4-0 in the 73rd — again set up by Boetius — four minutes before Mateta rubbed salt in Freiburg's wounds by completing his hat trick.
