Mexico caused a huge upset by beating reigning World Cup holders Germany 1-0 with a Hirving Lozano counter-attack.
The champions went into the tournament on the back of a difficult build-up, as Manuel Neuer had been out injured for practically the whole season, while Mesut Ozil started despite controversy for posing with the President of Turkey. Jonas Hector was meant to be in the XI, but was suffering from flu.
Mexico caused a huge upset by beating reigning World Cup holders Germany 1-0 with a Hirving Lozano counter-attack.
The champions went into the tournament on the back of a difficult build-up, as Manuel Neuer had been out injured for practically the whole season, while Mesut Ozil started despite controversy for posing with the President of Turkey. Jonas Hector was meant to be in the XI, but was suffering from flu.
It was a surprisingly open start, as within three minutes Jerome Boateng needed a sliding block to prevent Hirving Lozano scoring, then Timo Werner’s angled drive flashed across the face of goal.
Mexico were very dangerous on counter-attacks, but wasteful with their finishing and aimed several efforts straight at Neuer.
Eventually, El Tri did convert one of their many chances, as the defence was turned inside out and Lozano fired in at the near bottom corner.
Germany fought back immediately, a Toni Kroos free kick fingertipped on to the crossbar by Guillermo Ochoa.
The situation did not change after the break, as Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira lost possession, was too slow to track back and Chicharito Hernandez’s roll across to Carlos Vela was heavy.
Chicharito had penalty appeals when he sprung the offside trap and went down under a nudge, but Mexico were increasingly exhausted and in the final minutes substitute Julian Brandt saw his strike clip the outside of the upright.
It's the first time Germany have lost their World Cup opener since 1982.
Germany 0-1 Mexico
Lozano 35 (M)
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Plattenhardt (Gomez 79); Kroos, Khedira (Reus 60); Muller, Ozil, Draxler; Werner (Brandt 86)
Mexico: Ochoa; Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado (Marquez 73); Layun, Vela (Alvarez 57), Lozano (Raul Jimenez 66); Hernandez
Ref: Faghani (IRN)