- Diarmuid Kearney
- Sun, Jun 17 2018
A first-half strike by Hirving Lozano on his World Cup debut was enough to give Mexico an historic 1-0 win over world champions Germany at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The first major shock of the tournament unfolded as the underdogs of Group F managed to torment their opposition as 'El Chucky' lived up to his nickname against the German defence.
Mexico had the first real goal scoring chance of the afternoon as Lozano managed to find space in the box, but his shot was blocked out by Jerome Boateng for a corner.
From the corner a defensive mix up by Marvin Plattenhardt and Manuel Neuer almost gave Mexico an early gift.
Die Mannschaft were looking to dominate in the early stages but failed to convert any chances – Timo Werner failed to hit the target while Mats Hummels hit a weak effort straight at Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexico goal.
Mexico could have been a goal up with ten minutes played as Hector Herrera managed to get free in space and hit a speculative effort from 30 yards out. It stung the palms of Neuer but was well saved by the goalkeeper.
The underdogs were not living up to their status as they put Germany under severe early pressure and came even closer to scoring the game’s opener when Hector Moreno’s header was well-saved by Neuer.
Germany looked shaky in the opening 20 minutes as defensive errors, which are unlike the world champions, made them look vulnerable.
Toni Kroos and Werner had chances at the other end but, again, hit the ball straight into the chest of Ochoa.
Mexico eventually got their reward for all their effort ten minutes from half time, breaking on a counter attack exploiting the German defence.
Lozano was played through and, after he cut inside Boateng, the PSV winger hit a low shot past Neuer into the back of the net.
Germany were determined to get back into the game and started to put the pressure on the Mexican defence, and came agonisingly close in the 37th minute.
Toni Kross curled a beautiful free kick aimed for the top corner but Ochoa made an unbelievable save to keep the score at 1-0.
Mexico were still in control despite having less possession and fewer scoring chances, and Germany were failing to create any major threat to Ochoa as the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Germany dominated the early stages of the second half but again were left frustrated by the Mexico defence who were blocking down anything they were met with.
A plucky Mexico were still in control midway through the half as Germany were now switching to attack with Marco Reus and Mario Gomez coming on for Sami Khedira and Plattenhardt.
The second half saw very few goal chances created by either side in this half but Mexico could have won by more had the final ball been more effective.
Miguel Layun had two glorious chances to seal the three points but he failed to hit the target on both occasions.
Mexico defeded with their backs against the wall as the final stages of the game approached and Germany grew in frustration, picking up two yellow cards a minute apart.
Captain Rafael Marquez was introduced late on to see the game out and he made history, joining a list of players to appear at five World Cups.
The best chance Germany had late in the half fell to Julian Brandt, who hit a wonderful strike that just missed the target, but Mexico deservedly held out for a win that will go down in the annals.
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jérome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Marvin Plattenhardt (Mario Gomez 80); Sami Khedira (Marco Reus 61), Toni Kroos; Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler; Timo Werner (Julian Brandt 86).
Subs not used: Kevin Trapp (gk), Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (gk), Matthias Ginter, Leon Goretzka, Nikilas Sule, Antonio Ruediger, Sebastian Rudy, IIkay Guendogan.
Booked: Thomas Muller (83), Mats Hummels (84).
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa; Carlos Salcedo, Hugo Ayala, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo; Hector Herrera, Andreas Guardado (Rafael Marquez 73); Miguel Layun, Carlos Vela (Edson Alvarez 58), Hirving Lozano (Raul Jimenez 68); Javier Hernandez
Subs not used: Jose Corono (gk), Alfredo Talavera (gk), Erick Gutierrez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Marco Fabian, Giovani Dos Santos, Jesus Corona, Oribe Peralta, Javier Aquino.
Booked: Hector Moreno (40), Hector Herrera (88).
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran).
Attendance: 78,011 (official).
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Hiriving Lozano (Mexico).
