Julian Ryerson was at the heart of everything as title-chasing Borussia Dortmund cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over , stretching Die Schwarzgelben’s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 15 matches (W11, D4).

Opening Matchday 22 with the opportunity to trim the gap to FC Bayern Munich to just three points, Dortmund wasted no time igniting their home crowd at the Westfalenstadion. The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute when Ryerson delivered a precise free-kick from the edge of the area, picking out Serhou Guirassy, who powered a header beyond Daniel Batz. It marked BVB’s league-leading 10th Bundesliga opener from a set piece this season.

Five minutes later, the hosts struck again. Ryerson, once more operating from a similar position, floated in another inviting ball that found Maximilian Beier at the back post. The forward squeezed a header in from a tight angle to double Dortmund’s advantage.

Mainz threatened a response but were left frustrated. Silas Katompa Mvumpa failed to keep his side-footed effort on target—possibly drifting offside in the process—before Silvan Widmer slotted through Gregor Kobel’s legs, only for the flag to confirm he too had strayed beyond the last defender.

Those squandered chances proved costly. On the stroke of half-time, Guirassy grabbed his second and 11th league goal of the campaign, rising highest to nod home from a Ryerson corner inside the six-yard box.

Dortmund showed no inclination to ease off after the interval. Batz was called into action repeatedly, denying Felix Nmecha from close range before thwarting Beier’s curling effort and a low drive from Julian Brandt.

Guirassy nearly completed his hat-trick just past the hour mark, heading narrowly wide from point-blank range following yet another dangerous set-piece delivery.

The home side continued to dominate in the closing stages, and Ryerson almost capped his display with a remarkable fourth assist, only for Batz to beat substitute Fábio Silva to the ball.

However, Dortmund eventually secured a deserved fourth goal six minutes from time. Another Ryerson delivery caused chaos in the Mainz defence, resulting in an own goal from Dominik Kohr.

The result ensures Dortmund remain the only Bundesliga side unbeaten at home this season (W9, D2), conceding just eight goals at the Westfalenstadion while keeping seven clean sheets—both league bests. Crucially, the victory maintains pressure on Bayern, who sit three points clear with a game in hand.

For Mainz, it is only a second defeat in six league outings (W4), yet Die Nullfünfer remain just two points above the relegation play-off spot heading into the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures.