Soccer-Gomez penalty gives Wolfsburg edge in relegation playoff
VfL Wolfsburg forward Mario Gomez converted a first-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over second-tier Eintracht Braunschweig in their relegation playoff first leg on Thursday.
VfL Wolfsburg forward Mario Gomez converted a first-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over second-tier Eintracht Braunschweig in their relegation playoff first leg on Thursday.
It was a hard-fought Lower Saxony derby as the third-placed team in the second division took on the third-bottom Bundesliga club, with the slumping Wolves having been league runners-up and German Cup winners only two seasons ago.
Gomez sent Braunschweig goalkeeper Jasmin Fejzic the wrong way with his 35th minute spot kick, although the striker, who had scored 16 league goals in the regular season, controlled the ball with his hand prior to Wolfsburg earning the penalty.
The hosts squandered two more big chances to boost their lead early in the second half through Gomez and Daniel Didavi.
The Wolves faced little resistance after the break from Braunschweig, who had to wait until stoppage time for their first shot on goal in the second period.
The teams will meet again on Monday for the return leg in Braunschweig.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)