MOSCOW – Defending champions Germany crashed to the first defeat in theiropening game of a World Cup since 1982 as Hirving Lozano s clinical finishearned Mexico a shock 1-0 victory on Sunday.
The highly-rated PSV Eindhoven forward struck the winner on 35 minutesafter a blistering counter-attack at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow asMexico beat Germany for just the second time in history.
Germany s preparations for the tournament were plagued by poor results andcontroversy, and their problems were magnified in the Russian capital,leaving their proud record of never being eliminated in the group stage ofa World Cup already in danger.
Joachim Loew started eight of the nine 2014 World Cup winners in his squad,with Mesut Ozil returning from a knee injury and Manuel Neuer back in goalfollowing his lengthy absence for the Group F clash.
Jerome Boateng s build-up to the finals was also hampered by a groininjury, but the Bayern Munich centre-back was on the alert inside 60seconds to thrust himself desperately in front of a Lozano effort.
A remarkably open start saw Timo Werner sprint in behind the Mexico defencebefore dragging across the face of goal, while Mats Hummels shot straightat Guillermo Ochoa after a botched clearance.
Neuer held well twice in quick succession, first from a long-range HectorHerrera strike and then again to keep out Hector Moreno s header, as Mexicoattacked the Germany backline with regularity.
Carlos Salcedo nearly diverted a teasing cross into his own net, while TimoWerner hit tamely at Ochoa when an umarked Julian Draxler appeared thebetter option.
Mexico continued to threaten, Miguel Layun narrowly unable to latch onto athrough ball, but their goal arrived 10 minutes before the break as Germanywere again sliced apart.
After Sami Khedira lost possession, Javier Hernandez triggered a lightningcounter before finding a charging Lozano, who cut inside a covering Oziland lashed low inside Neuer s near post to spark deafening roars from thesizeable Mexico support.
Germany hit back, Toni Kroos rattling the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kickthat needed the fingertips of a scrambling Ochoa to keep it out, but Mexicobarely clung on to their advantage.
Marco Reus was introduced on the hour as Loew sought to invigorate astruggling side, while 39-year-old Rafael Marquez became just the thirdplayer to feature at five World Cups as he was brought on the tightenMexico s defence.
Joshua Kimmich s acrobatic overhead kick looped onto the roof of the net,with substitute Edson Alvarez then blocking bravely to thwart Draxler.
Reus also hammered a volley over from a narrow angle before a freneticfinale saw Julian Brandt, just on for Werner, smack the outside of the postwith a thunderous effort from 20 yards.
One desperate last attack had Neuer come up for a corner, but a toweringheader from the veteran Marquez and subsequent claim from Ochoa allowedMexico to close out an unforgettable triumph. – APP/AFP