Johan Bakayoko opened his account for RB Leipzig in decisive fashion, striking the only goal of the game to seal a 1-0 victory over Mainz 05 at the Mewa Arena.
The result piles further misery on the hosts, who have now gone three consecutive Bundesliga seasons without a win in their first three matches.
Both sides came into the contest struggling for attacking rhythm, and the opening half-hour reflected that with chances few and far between.
Bakayoko nearly made the breakthrough early on when he broke free and aimed for the bottom corner, but Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner produced a fingertip save to deflect the ball onto the post.
Moments later, Nadiem Amiri responded at the other end with a thunderous strike against the woodwork, but the half was otherwise fragmented and scrappy.
Just before halftime, Bakayoko made his presence count. After a neat passing move on the edge of the box, the Belgian winger cut inside from the right, gliding past two defenders before drilling a fierce shot inside Zentner’s near post to give Leipzig the advantage.
Despite Mainz having conceded in 14 straight Bundesliga fixtures, there was little sign of a determined comeback after the restart.
Instead, Leipzig came closest to adding a second, with Christoph Baumgartner narrowly missing the target after a mazy run, while Conrad Harder also tested the home defence with a solo effort that flew just wide.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser late on, and substitute Nelson Weiper had their best opportunity with a close-range header that sailed over the bar, but Leipzig’s backline stood firm.
The defeat leaves Mainz winless in seven consecutive Bundesliga home matches (five draws, two losses), while Leipzig climb up the table, level on points with sixth place, buoyed by just their second clean sheet in six away league outings.