Schalke 4-0 Hoffenheim: Matthew Hoppe hat-trick in first win in 31 Bundesliga games
- Published
Matthew Hoppe (right) is a regular in the fourth tier for Schalke's reserve team, netting once in 16 appearances
Schalke recorded their first Bundesliga win in 31 games - to avoid equalling a league record - as 19-year-old American Matthew Hoppe scored the first three goals of his senior career.
Schalke, on their fourth manager of the season, had not won a league game since 17 January 2020 - 358 days ago.
Forward Hoppe, in his sixth first-team game, opened the scoring with a chip before adding two more.
Midfielder Amine Harit, who set up all of Hoppe's goals, added a late fourth.
Hoppe, who is a regular in the fourth tier for Schalke's reserve team, is the first American to score a Bundesliga hat-trick.
It was only Christian Gross' second game in charge of Schalke. David Wagner and Manuel Baum were both sacked this season, with Huub Stevens having a caretaker spell.
Schalke move off bottom and are now four points from safety.
Tasmania Berlin keep the record for the longest run without a win in Germany's top flight - 31 matches in 1965-66, which was their only season in the division.
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