Mainz and Gladbach secure spot in Bundesliga after wins

Mainz and Borussia Mönchengladbach secured their place in the Bundesliga after their respective wins on Sunday afternoon.

Mainz secured a spot in the top tier for an 18th straight season and left St Pauli deep in the mire after a 2-1 away win.

Gladbach, meanwhile, claimed a 1-0 home victory against second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who are already qualified for the Champions League next season.

Haris Tabaković scored the winner in the 88th minute. His goal was initially ruled out, but the decision was overturned after video review.

Later on Sunday, second-bottom Wolfsburg visit European hopefuls Freiburg in eighth.

Mainz to 'celebrate tonight'

Phillip Tietz opened the scoring early on when Mainz pounced on a St Pauli mistake in their own half and Sheraldo Becker laid on the assist.

Left wingback Phillip Mwene then further silenced the Millerntor with the second from close range before half-time. Abdoulie
Ceesay's goal for the home side came too late.

Mainz were bottom when former Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer took over in December, but the Swiss has masterminded their surge up the league and they now sit 10th with two games left.

"I think we've played a super second half of the season," man-of-the-match Tietz told DAZN. "We will celebrate tonight."

Hamburg-based St Pauli remain third-bottom in the relegation play-off spot having not won in eight games and are six points from safety with an inferior goal difference.

They travel to RB Leipzig next Saturday and finish up at home to fellow strugglers . A relegation play-off now looks St Pauli's best option.