2018 FIFA World Cup- Germany 0 Mexico 1- Lozano goal stuns the World Champions
Hirving Lozano scores to give Mexico a memorable 1-0 win over Germany
Mitch Freeley
You can watch a Live Stream of the Germany vs Mexico game via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Match Report
Defending champions Germany crashed to the first defeat in their opening game of a World Cup since 1982 as Hirving Lozano's clinical finish earned Mexico a shock 1-0 victory on Sunday.The highly-rated PSV Eindhoven forward struck the winner on 35 minutes after a blistering counter-attack at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as Mexico beat Germany for just the second time in history.
Germany's preparations for the tournament were plagued by poor results and controversy, and their problems were magnified in the Russian capital, leaving their proud record of never being eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup already in danger.
Joachim Loew started eight of the nine 2014 World Cup winners in his squad, with Mesut Ozil returning from a knee injury and Manuel Neuer back in goal following his lengthy absence for the Group F clash.
Jerome Boateng's build-up to the finals was also hampered by a groin injury, but the Bayern Munich centre-back was on the alert inside 60 seconds to thrust himself desperately in front of a Lozano effort.
A remarkably open start saw Timo Werner sprint in behind the Mexico defence before dragging across the face of goal, while Mats Hummels shot straight at Guillermo Ochoa after a botched clearance.
Neuer held well twice in quick succession, first from a long-range Hector Herrera strike and then again to keep out Hector Moreno's header, as Mexico attacked the Germany backline with regularity.
Carlos Salcedo nearly diverted a teasing cross into his own net, while Timo Werner hit tamely at Ochoa when an unmarked Julian Draxler appeared the better option. Mexico continued to threaten, Miguel Layun narrowly unable to latch onto a through ball, but their goal arrived 10 minutes before the break as Germany was again sliced apart.
After Sami Khedira lost possession, Javier Hernandez triggered a lightning counter before finding a charging Lozano, who cut inside a covering Ozil and lashed low inside Neuer's near post to spark deafening roars from the sizeable Mexico support.Germany hit back, Toni Kroos rattling the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kick that needed the fingertips of a scrambling Ochoa to keep it out, but Mexico barely clung on to their advantage.
Marco Reus was introduced on the hour as Loew sought to invigorate a struggling side, while 39-year-old Rafael Marquez became just the third player to feature at five World Cups as he was brought on the tighten Mexico's defence.
Joshua Kimmich's acrobatic overhead kick looped onto the roof of the net, with substitute Edson Alvarez then blocking bravely to thwart Draxler.
Reus also hammered a volley over from a narrow-angle before a frenetic finale saw Julian Brandt, just on for Werner, smack the outside of the post with a thunderous effort from 20 yards.
One desperate last attack had Neuer come up for a corner, but a towering header from the veteran Marquez and subsequent claim from Ochoa allowed Mexico to close out an unforgettable triumph.
Live Updates
Highlights/ Goals
Hirving Lozano opens the scoring with a tidy finish!
Preamble
Team news! Toni Kroos starts in midfield, as does Manuel Neuer who has only played a few friendlies for Germany since recovering from a broken foot. As for Mexico, Chicharito aka Javier Hernández leads the line for El Tri.
Joachim Löw and Juan Carlos Osorio have made their decisions... 🇩🇪🇲🇽
Do you agree with them?#GERMEX // #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0XcIWZfSai — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2018
2014 winners Germany take on Mexico, as they attempt to defend their crown in Russia. We'll have all the latest news including the goals and highlights in the live blog. Let the games begin!
Preview
Fresh from winning yet another Champions League title with Real Madrid, Toni Kroos is likely to start in the centre of midfield for Die Mannschaft against Mexico. The 28-year old has been a key part in the success of Germany in the last five years, and his energy in midfield will be a crucial asset as the Germans look to get the better of a spirited Mexico team.
Germany Predicted Team
Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Reus, Muller, Draxler; Werner
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TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 19:00
Stadium- Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
El Tri has made it out of the group stages in the last seven consecutive World Cup finals and again will be quietly confident of doing the same again, especially after taking on South Korea and Sweden after the challenge of Germany.
Javier Hernandez aka Chicharito is likely to start up front for Mexico on Sunday evening. The 29-year old striker didn’t exactly have the best season with West Ham in the Premier League. However, the striker relishes playing for his county and is just two goals away from becoming their all-time leading scorer at a World Cup.
Mexico Predicted Team
Ochoa; Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado, Santos; Vela, Lozano, Hernandez
It promises to be an interesting match as World Champions Germany kick-start their campaign with a tough test against an experienced Mexico side. You can watch all the action Live & Exclusive on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
