Mexico stunned reigning world champions Germany to win Group F’s opening match 1-0. The El Tri’s attacking trump card, Hirving Lozano scored the winner in the 35th minute. With the win, they continued an impressive streak—Mexico’s last defeat in their World Cup opener was in 1994.
Germany struggled to find their feet in what was arguably the most entertaining first half of the tournament so far – there were 17 shots compared to 12 in the Portugal-Spain match.
The electric Lozano broke through Germany's defence as early as the first minute, but his shot was blocked for a corner. The resultant corner deflected off a couple of players before German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer picked up the ball unchallenged from a crowd of players. After a very nervy start Germany build up systematically. Timo Werner ran clear of the defence but pulled his shot wide.
Germany's centre-back Mats Hummels darted forward and hit a left foot shot from the edge of the box in the 7th minute, but it was comfortably saved. Mexico got a free-kick in a good position but Miguel Layun shot over the bar. It was a fairly open start to the game and Germany were unable to gain control in midfield thanks to the swift counterattacks by Mexico. The Latin Americans forced a save from Neuer when Hector Morena rose to head a Layun free-kick on target.
Germany played patiently and a quality cross from Joshua Kimmich was almost put into his own net by left-back Carlos Salcedo in the 16th minute. Javier Hernandez missed a great opportunity in the 17th minute after running into the box free. He seemed to be attempting the perfect finish, but was charged down and then dispossessed. The shots kept coming but to little effect. Mexico were playing the more exciting football with their fast breaks. The Germans seemed more mechanical.
Mexico had another opportunity on the break in the 26th minute. But Germany got back in the blink of an eye. And that seemed to be script of the day. Mexico breaking swiftly, mostly through the left-wing, only for the Germans to thwart them. Layun failed to connect a good cross from Carlos Vela in the 34th minute and it was starting to look like one of those days for the El Tri. But in the very next minute, they got a deserved breakthrough. Another fast break saw Lozano run on to a pass, cut inside his defender and bury the shot into the bottom right corner.
Germany were rattled but got an opportunity in the 38th minute when they won a free-kick. Toni Kroos took it and nearly got one back, but the shot was saved on to the bar by Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Mexico had consistently tried to play the ball to feet and that had given them plenty of joy on the left flank. At the end of a very entertaining first half, the 2014 world champions trailed Mexico, who had only one win in 11 previous encounters with Germany.
The second half started slower. The game became cagey as Mexico sat back. At the 60 minute mark, Germany made an attacking substitution, bringing on Marco Reus for defensive midfielder Sami Khedira. It was a delayed World Cup debut for the Borussia Dortmund attacker. Mexico on the other took off their main threat and goalscorer Lozano. The 73rd minute saw the introduction of Mexico’s legendary captain, defender Rafael Marquez. The 39-year-old became only the third player in history to play in five World Cup Finals. It was yet another defensive change as forward Vela was taken off.
Germany went all out and brought on striker Mario Gomez for their left-back and replaced Werner with winger Julian Brandt. Continuous German attacks were countered by fast Mexican attacks but there were no more goals. Germany even brought forward their sweeper keeper Neuer for a 93rd minute corner. Germany had 25 shots compared to Mexico’s 12 and had 61 per cent possession, but they just could not beat the Mexican defence and their goalkeeper Ochoa.
Germany became the fourth defending champions in the last five editions to lose their opening match. The previous three – France in 2002, Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014 – had all gone out in the group stage. It doesn't look too well for Germany as they face a stiff Swedish opposition next. But then again, you can never really write off the Germans.
For Mexico, holders of the undesirable record of having qualified for the World Cup the most without winning, it was a perfect start. And a very well-deserved victory.