Struggling Schalke

Borussia Dortmund secured third place in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win over their crisis-hit Ruhr rivals Schalke.

Japanese attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa scored the first of two goals in the 21st minute, beating three defenders to fire in a deflected left-foot shot past Schalke and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Schalke could not contain Kagawa in the second half and the 21-year-old was free to tap in a Jakub Blaszczykowski cross at the far post on 58 minutes.

Shortly after, Schalke's Nicolas Plestan was shown the red card for a second booking, leaving Dortmund to take full control. Schalke's defense fell into disarray and a corner from Dortmund's Nuri Sahin was headed in by Robert Lewandowski.

There was a consolation goal for the home side as Schalke's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar turned in a poor shot from teammate Christoph Moritz.

Worst start ever

Dortmund are now third with nine points, while Schalke are experiencing their worst start in league history.

"This is one of my worst days," said Schalke coach Felix Magath. "I have never had a start like this. The team showed how insecure it is. We stood no chance of winning the game."

Meanwhile, substitute Mladen Petric was on target for Hamburg with two minutes left - allowing his side to rescue a point in their match with local football rivals St. Pauli.

Petric's drop volley brought the derby score level after Fabian Boll's low shot from the edge of the area had put St. Pauli into the lead on 77 minutes.

Also in Sunday's soccer, Leverkusen's Germany striker Stefan Kiessling was stretchered off in his side's goalless draw with Nuremberg.

The injury means Kiessling is likely to miss Germany's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Turkey and Kazakhstan in October.

Author: Richard Connor (dpa/Reuters)
Editor: Nicole Goebel