Germany 0-1 Mexico: Germans Start their World Cup Defence in Defeat

Mexico have beaten the holders of the World Cup in a brilliant game of football in Moscow. 78,000 fans were at the stadium to witness Germanys defence of the World Cup start in defeat. Hirving Lozano scored the only goal from a flowing counter attack, and his goal has left Germany with two huge games against South Korea and Sweden.

There were no real surprises in the German starting 11. Manuel Neuer, who missed most of last season through injury, captained the side and youngster Timo Werner, top scorer at the last Confederations cup and Leipzig’s top scorer last season, led the line.

Many of you will remember Mexican keeper’ Guillermo Ochoa for his heroics and cat like reflexes at the last world cup in Brazil. He got the nod to start in the goal for this game. Joining him in the Mexican line up were a host of big names such as Carlos Vela, Hector Herrera and Javier Hernandez. 22-year-old winger Hirving Lozano, who had just enjoyed a marvellous goal scoring season for PSV Eindhoven in their title winning campaign, started on the left flank. This game had all the potential to be a cracker.

Mexico looked impressive from the off, and it only took them 55 seconds to create the first chance of the game. Lozano found himself one on one with Neuer, but a heroic challenge from Jerome Boateng deflected the effort out for a corner.

A few minutes later Werner was played through but dragged his shot wide from a tight angle. Kroos and Hummels both challenged Ochoa with shots from outside the box, but the Mexican keeper saved both shots with ease.

It was becoming very clear why Mexico had finished top of their qualifying group. They restricted Germany to long range efforts and were marking their most influential players out the game. The Mexicans were also looking very tidy in possession and especially dangerous on the counter attack.

Thirty-five minutes into the first half Mexico went into the lead they fully deserved. They won the ball off the Germans and quickly countered (as they’d been doing all half). The ball was played into Javier Hernandez who then passed the ball through to Lozano, he then skipped past the challenge of Mesut Özil in the box and rifled the ball in at the near post. Mexican manager Juan Carlos Osorio stayed calm on the bench, but the same couldn’t be said for the fans that had travelled half way across the world to support their country.

The Germans almost responded straight away when the goal scorer Lozano gave away a needless free kick on the edge of the box. Kroos must’ve thought he’d scored, but a fingertip save from Ochoa pushed his effort onto the bar.

Germany looked more themselves in the opening minutes of the second half, retaining the ball better and not letting Mexico play their counter attacking football. However, they still struggled to create any real chances.

Joachim Loew needed to make a change and in the 60th minute he did. Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus was brought on for midfielder Sami Khedira. Germany looked more of a threat with Reus on the pitch and minutes after his introduction Joshua Kimmich came close with an acrobatic effort.

Mexico then brought off Lozano, who had made a few dodgy challenges since his opening goal. He was replaced with Raul Jiminez, who has been heavily linked with Premier league new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Werner then had his first real chance of the game. The ball fell to his feet at the back post, but he fired his effort over the bar. German nerves were now starting to become apparent.

In the 75th minute Mexican captain Guardado was brought off for Rafael Marquez, who’s introduction meant he had now represented Mexico at five separate World cup tournaments.

The next chance fell to Miguel Layun. As they’d been doing all game, Mexico quickly countered a German attack as Marquez played the ball through to Layun. He beat the last defender but fired his effort over the bar from 25 yards out.

Germany had to throw the kitchen sink at the Mexican defence and from the 80th they did just that. They piled men forward, but they still struggled to create anything significant in the final third.

They finally did just that, only for substitute Mario Gomez to spur a golden opportunity wide. Kimmich put an inch perfect ball into the box but Gomez, who found himself in-between the two centre backs, mistimed his header and put it high and wide. The onslaught carried on and Julian Brandt almost saw his volley fly into the top corner, but it flew only a matter of centimetres wide of the post. The 4th official lifted his board and indicated there would be 3 minutes added on but that wasn’t enough time for the Germans to find an equaliser.

This was a day that will go down in Mexican football history and you could see it in the faces of the fans and players, who many of whom were in tears. They got their tactics spot on and played to their strengths, no one will be able to say that the Mexicans don’t deserve the win.

Man of the Match

Hirving Lozano – He was the scorer of the winning goal but his work rate and quality on the ball make him my man of the match. It’s the first time I’ve ever watched him play and based on my first impression, I’d say he has a very bright future ahead of him.