Germany 0-1 Mexico
Russia 2018 | Group stage
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Attendance: 78,011
Mexico goal: Hirving Lozano (35)
Teams
Coach: Joachim Low
Starting XI: Manuel Neuer; Marvin Plattenhardt, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich; Sami Khedira, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Müller; Timo Werner.
Substitutions: Marco Reus (60), Mario Gomez (79), Julian Brandt (86).
Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio
Starting XI: Guillermo Ochoa; Hugo Ayala, Carlos Salcedo, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo; Miguel Layun, Carlos Vela, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Hirving Lozano; Javier Hernandez.
Substitutions: Edson Alvarez (58), Raul Jimenez (66), Rafael Marquez (74).
Hitherto head-to-head record
6 Germany wins
1 Mexico win
4 draws
Going into the game
Germany rocked up in Russia as reigning FIFA World Cup™ champions, having triumphed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. They were widely tipped to defend their title on the back of an outstanding qualifying campaign for Russia 2018, during which they won all ten matches and scored 43 goals while conceding just four.
A few hiccups in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup raised some eyebrows, but Die Mannschaft had won the previous year’s FIFA Confederations Cup without several of their star players, and they arrived as the team at the top of the FIFA/Coca Cola Men’s World Ranking.
The draw paired Joachim Low’s charges with Mexico, a side they had thrashed 4-1 in the semis at the Confederations Cup, also held in Russia. However, after learning that their opening match in Group F would be against the Germans, El Tri coach Juan Carlos Osorio greeted the news with a smile, taking the challenge in stride.
For their part, Mexico had made it through the Concacaf qualifiers for Russia 2018 without any significant setbacks, but they headed to the tournament with Osorio under intense scrutiny due to painful defeats at major international competitions, such as the aforementioned Confederations Cup defeat to Germany and a 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Chile at 2016’s CONMEBOL Copa America Centenario.
The game
Osorio’s organised and high-intensity side played the game on their own terms, conceding possession but relying on swift transitions that repeatedly unsettled the German defence, which is how the only goal of the match came in the 35th minute.
After Hector Herrera stopped Sami Khedira in his tracks as he advanced well into Mexico’s half, Hector Moreno acted quickly to ping the ball with precision to Javier Hernandez, who was waiting in the centre circle. Hernandez laid the ball off to Andres Guardado before spinning around a dumbfounded Mats Hummels and surging forward to receive the return pass.
The striker then drew Jerome Boateng in and threaded a perfectly timed through-ball into Hirving Lozano’s path. The winger cut in past Mesut Ozil inside the box with his first touch and then produced a powerful, low drive to beat Manuel Neuer at his near post.
Germany eyed an immediate response, but Timo Werner, Julian Draxler and Co were thwarted by the well-drilled El Tri defence and the goalkeeping heroics of Guillermo Ochoa, who also tipped a sweetly struck Toni Kroos free kick onto the crossbar.
In the second period, Low’s team upped the ante, keeping their opponents pinned back and creating several late goalscoring opportunities, including an effort from Kroos that crept just past the post. The Mexicans remained focused and disciplined amid the onslaught and hung on until the final whistle to clinch one of their most famous World Cup triumphs ever.
Quotes
“The players fought hard, we had the courage to take the initiative when we could and, when the going got tough, we defended with our lives. We drew up the game plan six months ago and it worked out well”.
Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico head coach
“I think it’s the best goal I’ve ever scored in my life. We all dream of playing in a World Cup and making such a memorable debut (…) But it wasn’t just me; it was a team effort. We played fearlessly, and my team-mates were incredible.”
Hirving Lozano, Mexico forward
“We showed real grit and character. The players making their first World Cup appearance didn’t look out of place at all. What we’ve been working towards for so long finally materialised – it’s a tremendous win”.
Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico goalkeeper
“We’re disappointed; we lost the first match, which is quite strange for us. We couldn’t get our quick passing game going. We need to learn from this and perform better in the remaining matches”.
Joachim Low, Germany head coach
“Mexico were a great team today; they beat us because we made two or three more mistakes than in our previous matches. But that’s no excuse, because we were aware of what a great side Mexico are. They played very well. In the second half, they mainly focused on holding on to their 1-0 lead, but their first-half display was particularly impressive”.
Timo Werner, Germany forward
