Stuttgart top Freiburg 2-1 to preserve European hopes

Mario Gomez had a brace here to lead VfB Stuttgart 2-1 over SC Freiburg, a result that boosts the visiting football side into eighth place in the German Bundesliga, three points from the last European spot.

Gomez, who turns 33 in July, delivered an outstanding performance hours after Germany national coach Joachim Löw named him to the roster for upcoming friendlies with Spain and Brazil, reports Efe.

Stuttgart took the lead in the 4th minute as Gomez, back with the club after a nine-year-long sojourn that included stints with Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, got his head to Dennis Aogo's free kick.

Conceding so early left Freiburg a bit shaken, but they worked their way back into the contest and pulled level in the 53rd minute with a strike by Nils Petersen, his 13th goal of the season.

But there was no place for a draw in Gomez's plans and the striker got his second of the night in the 75th minute to secure all three points for Stuttgart, the team where he began his senior career in 2003.

Freiburg remain in 13th place with 30 points, just five above the drop zone.

--IANS

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