BERLIN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Union Berlin took their first win of the season, hammering Mainz 4-0 in the Bundesliga's third round of matches on Friday.
The "Eisernen" made a perfect start on home soil as Christopher Lenz tested Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner in the early stages, before Max Kruse nodded home his debut goal after Sheraldo Becker's pinpoint cross to the far post in the 13th minute.
Union gained momentum but missed the chance to extend the lead at the half-hour mark after Nico Schlotterbeck pulled wide from tight angle.
Mainz were unable to gain a foothold into the first half and had to wait until the 38th minute to get their first chance on target, as Jean-Philippe Mateta's header came close.
After the break, Union continued on the front foot and got their reward in the 49th minute when Marcus Ingvartsen had all the time and space at the edge of the box to slot home past Zentner into the far corner.
Mainz failed to put up any resistance while Union relentlessly tripled their lead after Marvin Friedrich headed home Christopher Trimmel's free-kick in the 63rd minute for 3-0.
Moments later, new arrival Joel Pohjanpalo scored his first goal for Union only 35 seconds after coming on to put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute.
With the result, Union Berlin move up to third place in the standings, while Mainz stay 17th after suffering their third straight defeat of the new season.
"If you win 4-0, you have to be happy. We will analyse today's game in a couple of days but for now we are delighted. Today it was important to be effective when it mattered most," Union head coach Urs Fischer said.
The following games are scheduled for Saturday: Borussia Dortmund host Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt face Hoffenheim, Cologne entertain Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen encounter newcomers Arminia Bielefeld, newly-promoted Stuttgart clash with Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig play bottom side Schalke. Enditem
