Hirving Lozano scores winner as Mexico shock Germany in Group F opener

Germany have lost in their opening game of the World Cup for the first time since 1982 after Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game to give Mexico the win at the Luzhniki Stadium.

In an end-to-end game, Mexico could even have scored more goals on the counter but Lozano’s finish into the bottom left corner was enough to shock the reigning champions.

Germany were uncharacteristic in defence all afternoon, a disorganised mess with fullbacks Joshua Kimmich and Marvin Plattenhardt more interested in getting forward than helping central defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng.

That showed within the opening two minutes when Plattenhardt failed to clear a corner but Manuel Neuer eventually dived on the ball after panic in the six-yard box.

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Germany went straight on the attack though and a through ball cut through the Mexican defence but Timo Werner’s shot went wide.

Kimmich nearly forced an own goal when Carlos Salcedo turned his cross narrowly past the post before Julian Draxler’s shot from range was saved by Guillermo Ochoa.

Javier Hernandez could have opened the scoring but he took too long and Neuer made the save.

The former Manchester United man was central to the Mexico goal though. He flew through the German midfield from a counter-attack before playing in Lozano to smash the ball past Neuer at the near post.

Toni Kroos saw a shot tipped onto the crossbar by Ochoa before halftime and the German attacks continued into the secod half. Werner found Draxler on the overlap but his shot went wide.

Mexico again sliced Germany open at the other end though when Hernandez had the chance to put Carlos Vela in for a tap-in but the pass did not find his man and the chance was gone.

Kimmich then sent an overhead kick onto the roof of the net before Draxler sent one over.

Kroos came close once again and Mario Gomez sent a header wide late on.

Julian Brandt had a chance to equalise in stoppage time but his shot from the edge of the area rattled off the post.

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2014 by Mariya Butd used under license by CC BY 2.0.

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1 Response

  1. 18/06/2018 15:15

    […] Mexico shock Germany in Group F opener […]

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