So can Germany retain the World Cup title now? Joachim Low's side hit a low as they suffer a 1-0 defeat to a valiant and attacking-minded Mexico, with Hirving Lozano's goal the difference.
Match Events
2' Lozano offers early scare for Germany
Strong start from Mexico, as Lozano uses his pace to burst into the box from the left but has his shot blocked by Boateng. Layun curls a corner into the middle that bounces back towards the goal off Plattenhardt but Neuer snatches possession.
3' CHANCE! Werner's shot wide out
Werner now showing his pace in the final third from Germany, latching onto Kimmich's through ball but dragging a shot wide of the far post.
35' GOAL! Germany 0-1 Mexico (Lozano)
Lozano has been all over the Germany defence in the opening half hour and he's finally got his reward.
Hernandez leads the charge and feeds the PSV ace on the left, who cuts inside and fires into the bottom left-hand corner.
38' CLOSE! Kroos' free kick off the bar
Kroos fires the free-kick at goal and forces a stunning save from Ochoa, who gets a fingertip onto the ball to tip the attempt up against the bar.
56' Mexico shockingly miss golden chance to extend their lead
Mexico hit on the counter again with two players charging through on goal, exposing the space left by Plattenhardt. Hernandez attempts to cut the ball across to Vela but he fails to get the ball under control.
65' CHANCE! Kimmich's bicycle kick over the bar
Kimmich latches onto Boateng's cross and tries an acrobatic overhead kick, which loops over the head of Ochoa and lands on the roof of the net.
66' Draxler and Werner miss very good chances to equalize!
Germany starting to find room as a cross floats over Salcedo and into the path of Draxler, who sees a shot deflected behind. From the resulting corner, Werner volleys over the bar.
70' PENALTY SHOUT! Is Chicharito being fouled by Hummels in the box?
Hernandez is found by a searching through ball and the West Ham man has the goal at his mercy. He comes under pressure from Hummels, falling to ground but he was certainly looking at it.
87' CHANCE! Gomez's header wide out
89' CLOSE! Brandt's shot hit the post
Match Report
Germanyβs defence of their World Cup title started with a whimper as they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Mexico in Moscow on Sunday.
Joachim Low's side came into the tournament on a run of poor form, winning just one of their six friendlies since qualifying for Russia 2018 with a 100 per cent record.
Those recent struggles were evident from the outset against a vibrant Mexico, who scarcely gave their more illustrious opponents a chance to settle during a pulsating opening.
Their positive approach was rewarded with the only goal of the game after 35 minutes when Hirving Lozano finished off a flowing counter-attacking move with a crisp drive.
Joshua Kimmich and Timo Werner both came close in the second period, but Mexico were able to hold on for a famous victory with something approaching relative comfort.
Low must quickly lift his team for their next Group F game against Sweden on Saturday, while Mexico know a win against South Korea on the same day would give them a wonderful chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Line-ups
Germany XI: 1 Neuer (C); 2 Plattenhardt, 5 Hummels, 17 Boateng, 18 Kimmich; 6 Khedira, 8 Kroos; 7 Draxler, 10 Ozil, 13 Muller; 9 Werner
Subs: 12 Trapp, 22 Ter Stegen, 3 Hector, 4 Ginter, 11 Reus, 14 Goretzka, 15 Sule, 16 Rudiger, 19 Rudy, 20 Brandt, 21 Gundogan, 23 Gomez
Mexico XI: 13 Ochoa; 3 Salcedo, 2 Ayala, 15 Moreno, 23 Gallardo; 7 Layun, 16 Herrera, 11 Vela, 18 Guardado (C), 22 Lozano; 14 Hernandez
Subs: 1 Jose Corona, 12 Talavera, 4 Marquez, 5 Gutierrez, 6 J. Dos Santos, 8 Fabian, 9 Raul, 10 G. Dos Santos, 17 Jesus Corona, 19 Peralta, 20 Aquino, 21 Alvarez
TonyV25
455
The only Wall Mexico will love to have
KeithO
448
Low:Why did I remove Sane
Rudra_
259
Today I just hated Kroos!! Didn't create much chances....Wasted all opportunities by going for himself!! He play as a DM he's should rather create than making attemptsπ π
MRCOOL
232
that happens when you don't have a player like sane with speed and tricks
BAPPSPAULO
227
sane right now
IndikaAsiriSR4
172
Germany fans Right Nowπππππππ
WilfriedCR7
142
World cup Tradition: WC1990-- ARGENTINA(Winner 1986) 0-1 CAMEROON WC2002-- SENEGAL 1-0 FRANCE (Winner 1998) WC2018 -- GERMANY(Winner 2014) 0-1 MEXICO
asakila
129
When Low is confounded emotions NEVER SEEN BEFORE the humiliation of being overplayed, outgunned and outrun too much for the most successful manager in the German soccer history
kindle
103
Will Germany repeat it?
Ronaldoscr7
102
next iceland i guess
Veeiknu
99
Before game , Germany Fans : This Game Is Gonna Be So Boooriiing Germany will DEFINITELY win! After Game : *runs into bedroom and cry for whole night , never watch Football again Lesson learnt : NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT
Thamizh
79
Germans should start with holding misfielder..! Both Khedira and Kroos playing as CMs doesn't work and automatically their defenders are caught in counters..! Hummels is not fast enough and Boateng is caught alone without knowing what to do..! Their forwards are failing to capitalise on Counters too..! They are holding the ball too much so that the opponents get time to organise their defense..! The team is lacking communication..! This was the same problem which Real Madrid had in the start of 2017/18 season..! Everybody wants to score and goes forward and they get caught in the back..! Hard Luck Germans..!
Biswajit10
72
is it Germany!?ππ oh poor Central forward Warner!ππ overall Germany Missed a player like Miroslav Klose!β€ And Mexico: great great played , Mexico should score 2 goals more!β€
nuklmt
34
I was watching the game at home but I felt like I was in the stadium booing Germany and Jogi Low. It was a great game to watch. See what happens when you leave Sane out? yeah.... It happened. Germany lost. What were Wagner and Royce and Muller doing? They would've wished if only Sane was there to redeem them. Thumbs up to Mexico, hard work, great defending and intelligent use of pace and counter attacks. Mexico deserved a 3 - 0 win actually. But Layun had to miss 3 times in the penalty area. I think he had pity on the helpless defence who couldn't even race with these speedy little bad boys. What I admire about the Mexican team is "Fuck Germany. We're here to make a record-breaker too, not only them." They play with that passion and positive attitude despite the fact that Germany have never lost an opening WC match since West Berlin 1993 and not being intimidated by that fact they came out triumphs. Good luck Mexico. Without Sane all of Germany's not even sane. Germany and everyone in the staff and team can go visit psych wards coz there's gonna be a lot of mental traumas and emotions that'll cause brain wrecks.
J-moneyZ
32
when you think Argentina's result was d surprise result of d group stage, then Germany surprises you with a shock result of their own, That's d world cup spirit, no small team
sakcloprt
30
Enough about all this Sane noise! Will the presence of Sane in this match have made the Germans win? We can't say for sure. The coach made his choice of players he wants at the tournament. This is just their first game for heaven's sake. Winning your first match does not guarantee winning the trophy. Whether or not Sane is in form, he's not present at the World Cup and the Germans will just be fine without him.