Defending champions Germany slumped to a shocking defeat in their 2018 FIFA World Cup clash with Mexico. The side refused to be intimidated by the fact that they were up against the champions. It paid off and they came away with a 1-0 win.
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Die Mannschaft’s form was a little shaky in qualifying, but experience and records were on their side. So far, they had won every opening game at major tournaments since Joachim Low took over as coach in 2006.
However, Mexico decided to change that dynamic. They managed to hold their own against the favourites. Things were a bit unsteady as they wasted a handful of first-half chances while flirting with danger in their own half. Finally, Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute strike proved to be just the ticket.
German centre back Mats Hummels lost possession deep in the Mexican half, Javier Hernandez was released. Outpacing Jerome Boateng, his pass found Lozano, who controlled the ball. Lozano cut inside Mesut Ozil, held off a charging Toni Kroos and slotted coolly past Manuel Neuer.
Meanwhile, Guillermo Ochoa tipped a blistering Kroos free kick on to the bar, in what was the Germans’ closest effort so far in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Germany pressed in the second half but struggled to find the target. Osorio beefed up his defence, pulling off Lozano with a quarter of an hour left. 39-year-old Rafael Marquez was sent in at the back to become the third man ever to play in five World Cups.
Reuters
Soccer Football – World Cup – Group F – Germany vs Mexico – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia – June 17, 2018 Mexico’s Hirving Lozano celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Carl Recine
Mexico had much of the 80,000 crowd in Luzhniki Stadium on its feet as the German defence was exposed.
Youngster Julian Brandt nearly saved Germany the blushes after taking over from Timo Werner in the final minutes. Unfortunately, his shot blasted past Ochoa’s right post and just off target. Thing were so desperate that even goalkeeper Neuer came up for a corner in injury time.
Mexico can dream of going better than a consistent record of reaching the last 16 of the last six World Cups and perhaps of improving on the quarter-final they last reached in 1986.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match.
Why are the best teams playing worst? #RussiaWorldCup2018 #Argentina #Spain #Portugal #Germany #FifaWorldCup2018
Mexicans really be out here celebrating they damn well know if Germany had won they’d be waving SS flags and saying their is Juan Von Gomez
This is insane!!! #WorldCup2018 #Mexico World Cup 2018: Mexico fans may have caused earthquake celebrating win over Germany news.sky.com/story/world-cu…
https://twitter.com/RogMort/status/1008483558007164932
https://twitter.com/FoootballPlanet/status/1008401725949136896
https://twitter.com/dannyramirez/status/1008377175836250113
Well deserved @miseleccionmxEN ⚽️⚽️⚽️ The balance in the team is not right!! @DFB_Team_EN No team spirit, hunger or enough Desire! #Löw ist gefordert !!!!! #WorldCup18 #worldcup #DieMannschaft #ZSMMN #GERMEX #WorldCupRussia2018
#GERMEX Oh My God..Mexico beats Germany..yeah..yeah..yeah🙋🙋🙋👏👏👏
Wie Mauer? There is no wall that can stop mexicans! #GERMEX 😊💚⚽
https://twitter.com/ikjvm_/status/1008483692107436035
The longest 3 minutes ever! #GERMEX #WorldCup2018 #worldcupsketch
What a cracking end to end game #GERMEX was. Loved Mexico's counter attacking.
Low's end formation of 2-2-6 today looked even crazier than the one he finished Euro 2016 semi with when he had four centre forwards on at once. #GERMEX #WorldCup2018
https://twitter.com/SotirisNteris/status/1008485501525995520
Already this #GERMEX is looking the part!! Exciting!! Interesting Germany getting the boos heavy right now!
The best part of the match was at the last minute when the goalkeeper came on the ground as a forward! #FifaWorldCup2018 #GERvsMEX #germex
https://twitter.com/jonty_spitfire/status/1008487719855509506
https://twitter.com/Kin9_DERP/status/1008487236537606144
Half of y’all didn’t think Mexico had a chance against Germany. Dont hop on the Mexico bandwagon now😴 #GermanyvsMexico
This team is the breath of fresh air this World Cup has been crying out for. Thank Christ for Mexico. #GermanyvsMexico
