Mexico stunned the holders, handing Germany their first defeat in an opening game for the first time since 1982 thanks to a goal from Hirving Lozano
The sun was finally setting in Moscow at the end of a long day for Joachim Löw when he was reminded that three of the past four defending champions at World Cup finals have been eliminated in the first round, and suddenly a sense of resolution returned to him.
“We will not suffer the same fate,” he said, unsure whether the question was serious or not. “We will go to the next round.”
It is, nonetheless, a strange theme of recent years, encompassing Spain in 2014, Italy in 2010 and France in 2002, all of them witnessing the end of great eras at a Word Cup finals. The humiliating confirmation that, yes, those intervening four years did see legs get heavier, factions grow deeper, the decline become steeper.
These are early days yet and Löw was talking like a man who finds himself unexpectedly pulled over at the side of the autobahn wondering just what could possibly have gone wrong with his expensive piece of German engineering. He took solace in an improved second half, in 61 per cent possession, in all the things that should add up to success and yet he knew that Mexico had been the fresh new force sticking it to the old regime.
One of the great achievements of Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico’s Colombian coach who graduated from Liverpool John Moores University, is that he made the world champions look like England on a bad day. England in the European Championship of 2016, or at the previous two World Cup finals when they were often wide open at the back, guileless in attack, and finally reliant on pumping the ball into the area to try to get a goal.
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Germany vs Mexico: Live Updates, Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Game
Germany (National Football) vs Mexico (National Football)
Moscow
Defending World Cup champions Germany take on Chicharito's Mexico in the opening game of Group F. El Tri's first game at Russia 2018 will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium, Russia's national stadium in Moscow.
Germany came out all guns blazing in the second half, in search of the equaliser, but failed to penetrate Mexican defence as they suffered a 0-1 defeat in their opening Group F match. Hirving Lozano's brilliant goal in the 35th minute gave Mexico a 1-0 lead at half-time break, and they defended the solitary goal till the end to register a memorable victory over the four-time champions.Three minutes added as stoppage timeGuillermo Ochoa collected the ball comfortably from Jerome Boateng shot from distanceStunning strike from Julian Brandt but went out of the goal hitting the postTimo Werner is replaced by Julian Brandt for GermanyNow Mats Hummels get the booking for foul against Edson AlvarezToni Kroos with the shot from the top of the Mexican box, Guillermo Ochoa made a good saveThomas Mueller booked for a foul against Hector HerreraAnother good break from Mexicans and again Miguel Layun's shot from the right top of the German box went over the crossbarDefender Marvin Plattenhardt is replaced by Mario GomezMiguel Layun made a brilliant counter run, but his shot from the edge of the German box went just over the crossbarBack-to-back corner for Germany as the champions look for the equaliserToni Kroos first-touch attempt from the top of Mexican box went just wide. Good cross in from Mesut OzilCaptain Andres Guardado is off and Rafael Marquez is in for his 145th cap for MexicoMarco Reus volleyed it over the Mexican crossbar from the right flank. It was a tight angle. He could have done better but rushed with the shotJavier Hernandez fell down inside the box and shouted for penalty with no availOver the Mexican crossbar again. Timo Werner shot it over from close rangeGoalscorer Hirving Lozano is replaced by Jimenez for MexicoJoshua Kimmich's overhead shot went just over the Mexican crossbarMarco Reus came in for Germany and Sami Khedira is offMexico made the first change. Carlos Vela is replaced by Edson AlvarezGuillermo Ochoa made a brilliant diving save, but Thomas Mueller was already offside when he shoot the ballJulian Draxler's shot was deflected away from the Mexican goal. German corner failed to create clear chance to goalJoshua Kimmich shot it well over the crossbar from the top of the Mexican boxMarvin Plattenhardt shot it from distance, but it went straight to Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo OchoaSecond half begins...Hirving Lozano's brilliant goal in the 35th minute gave Mexico a 1-0 lead over the defending champions at the half-time break. Mexico are giving Germany a tough time with their pacey counter-attacks.Just a minute added as stoppage timeCarlos Vela's shot from top of the German box went just wide of the goalVela's final pass towards Lozano on the left was too pacey for the youngster. Another good counter-attack from the MexicansFree-kick for Germany from a dangerous position. Toni Kroos shot it towards the top corner of the goal, but Guillermo Ochoa made a brilliant flying save. The ball deflected from his palm and hit the crossbar. Mexico survivedMexico in the lead. Hirving Lozano scored from close rangeHernandez crossed it towards Lozano on the left, who cut inside and beat Ozil before hammering the ball low with his right foot.Another Mexican attack from the left flankMexico looking dangerous from the left flank, with Carlos Vela providing the pace. Miguel Layun shot it straight to Neuer from 25 yardsGood counter-attack from the Mexicans, but the final touch disappointed the move. The move started from German free-kick on the Mexican halfToni Kroos' left-footer from the top of the Mexican box was comfortably collected by Guillermo OchoaGermany lead the possession 60%-40% so farAnother Timo Werner attempt from close range went straight to Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo OchoaCorner for Germany. Toni Kroos with the delivery, but the Julian Draxler shot, from outside the box, was easily saved by Guillermo OchoaFree-kick for Mexico. This time from the right top of the German box. Neuer made a decent save to deny Mexico, Hector Moreno with the diving header.Hector Herrera's long-ranger, from 25 yards, was comfortably collected by Manuel Neuer. Good attacking start by the MexicansFree-kick for Mexico, few yards away from the German box. Miguel Layun's kick went well over the German crossbarCorner for Germany. The champions took a short corner and the resultant final shot from Mats Hummels was weak and straight to Mexico goalkeeperTimo Werner's shot from close range was wide of the Mexico goalCorner for Mexico early in the match. Mexico won the corner after Jerome Boateng's timely block stopped Hirving Lozano's shot in front of the German goalHere we go...*Time for National Anthems*Mesut Ozil returned from injury to take his place in Germany's starting line-up for the defending champions' opening match of the World Cup against Mexico in Moscow on Sunday. Marvin Plattenhardt was handed a start at left-back in place of an ill Jonas Hector, while Manuel Neuer made his long-awaited competitive return after eight months on the sidelines with a broken foot.Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio named an attacking trio of the highly-rated Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela. Rafael Marquez was named on the bench as the 39-year-old looks to become just the third player to appear at five editions of the World Cup.: Manuel Neuer (capt); Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Marvin Plattenhardt; Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos; Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Julian Draxler; Timo WernerCoach: Joachim Loew (GER): Guillermo Ochoa; Hugo Ayala, Carlos Salcedo, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo; Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado (capt), Miguel Layun; Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez, Carlos VelaCoach: Juan Carlos Osorio (COL)Referee: Alireza Faghani (IRI)Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Group F match between defending champions Germany and Mexico. The contest starts at 20:30 IST
