Germany 0 Mexico 1: Defending champions left rocked as winger Hirving Lozano produces World Cup shock
Germany could face the daunting prospect of playing Brazil in the second round if they finish second and the Samba stars top their group
HIRVING LOZANO dealt a huge blow to Germany’s hopes of becoming the first nation to retain the World Cup in 56 years.
Joachim Low’s side triumphed in 2014 and are among the favourites to repeat the feat in Russia.
But they will have to dig themselves out of a big hole after this opening-game shock to the hands of mesmerising Mexico.
Wonderkid Lozano justified his billing as one to watch this summer with a superbly-taken goal on 35 minutes, cutting inside Mesut Ozil to blast into the near corner.
From then on Germany could not penetrate a wall of green shirts as Juan Carlos Osorio’s heroes held on for a well-deserved victory.
Low’s side had most of the possession but failed to do a whole lot with it - whereas Mexico constantly looked dangerous on the counter.
Germany had a few half-chances - including a moment where World Cup debutant Timo Werner should have squared to a wide-open Julian Draxler - before Mexico got the goal they had been threatening.
West Ham striker Javier Hernandez left Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels for dead with a superb turn and run from the centre-circle before slipping in Lozano down the left.
The 22-year-old, who has been compared to Luis Suarez for his talent and temper, went round a flagging Ozil with ease before smashing past Manuel Neuer.
The nearest Germany came to a leveller came immediately after when they won a free-kick on the edge of the area after a nasty kick from Lozano on Joshua Kimmich.
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Real Madrid playmaker Toni Kroos blasted the set-piece goalwards but was denied by a wonderful, full-stretch stop from keeper Guillermo Ochoa who turned the ball onto the crossbar and away.
Die Mannschaft failed to make clear-cut chances after the break with Kimmich’s Gareth Bale-esque overhead-kick onto the roof of the net the best they had to offer.
Now the pressure will be on in the final two group games against Sweden and South Korea if they are to continue at least their amazing record of making the last four of every major tournament since 2006.
As for Mexico, they have gone out at the last-16 round for each of the last SIX World Cups.
Based on this performance, their army of fans will believe they can go much further than that this time round.