FC Schalke 04 0-1 FSV Mainz 05: Tietz strikes early to give Mainz a clinical away win
Reviewed by Elison · Sat 17 Oct 2026Bundesliga
FC Schalke 04FULL-TIME
FSV Mainz 05Saturday 17 October 2026 · 15:30
Our score 1-2MissedHot tip FSV Mainz 05 to win✓ Won
A 24th-minute goal from Phillip Tietz was enough for FSV Mainz 05 to beat FC Schalke 04 in an afternoon Bundesliga match, with the visitors holding on for a result that extended their impressive record away from home. Schalke, who went into the game 14th on five points, could not find a way back into it, while Mainz, ninth on seven points before kick-off, took all three.
How the game unfolded
Mainz made the decisive move in the 24th minute when Tietz scored, assisted by Anthony Caci, to put the visitors in front. Schalke could not respond before the break, and Mainz picked up two bookings in the closing stages of the first half — Nadiem Amiri in the 42nd minute and Kaishu Sano in the 45th. The Mainz lead went into the interval intact.
The second half brought no goals, and Schalke’s goalkeeper made five saves, while Mainz’s goalkeeper was tested three times. Both coaches turned to their benches in the second half — Schalke from the hour mark, Mainz from the 76th minute — but none of the changes affected the outcome.
The numbers
Mainz had the better of the statistics, finishing with 54 per cent possession, six shots on goal to Schalke’s three, and an xG of 1.53 against 0.33 for the hosts. That xG gap reflected their greater threat throughout. Schalke had four corner kicks to Mainz’s one, and committed 12 fouls to Mainz’s 20.
The result fitted a pattern that has developed over recent weeks. Mainz have now won all three of their away games in their last five, keeping two clean sheets in that run. Schalke, meanwhile, have failed to score in all three of their home games in their last five.
Schalke's average xG across their last five was 1.23, though in this match they managed only 0.33.
Conclusion
Tietz’s early goal and Caci’s assist proved to be all Mainz needed. The visitors were efficient with the ball and more threatening throughout, and Schalke could not convert their limited chances into an equaliser. Mainz took three points on the road while Schalke’s wait for a home goal in their last five continued.
