Defending champion Germany unexpectedly lost to Mexico in the opening match of the 2018 World Cup

Germany entered the match against Mexico in Group F as the defending champions, having won all their qualifying matches and having a very good tradition of opening the World Cup, having won every opening match since 1990. Germany have also met Mexico 11 times and have only lost one match. Most recently at the 2017 Confederations Cup, coach Joachim Loew's team defeated their opponents with a score of 4-1.

Germany, as usual, is a team that plays scientifically and pragmatically, while Mexico's players are always spontaneous, fast and flexible. Mexico played quickly from the start, and in the first minute, they had a corner kick after a lightning attack that forced Boateng to clear the ball out of bounds. In less than 10 minutes, the team from the Americas had 2 dangerous shots that made goalkeeper Neuer quite tired.

Germany also played a comprehensive, diverse attack from both wings, especially the right wing, and the center. But Mexico had a very good defensive counter-attacking match. They had a reasonable strategy, exploiting the weakness of the German team's right wing, when defender Kimmich continuously pushed up to support the attack, creating gaps. Winger Lozano repeatedly caused difficulties for the tall and experienced defenders of the "tanks".

And what had to happen happened. In the 35th minute, Mexico opened the scoring from a similar counter-attack. And the scorer was none other than Lozano. After an attacking move, the German players lost the ball near the middle of the field and Mexico immediately counter-attacked quickly. After just a few combinations between the players in blue, the ball reached Lozano on the right wing of the German team. This player dribbled past Ozil, then Kroos before shooting hard into the near corner, beating goalkeeper Neuer.

After the deadlock was broken, the match continued at a high pace. Both teams attacked beautifully. Germany continued to be cool, steady and methodical in every attack. Mexico continued to defend and counterattack dangerously. Four minutes after conceding the goal, Toni Kroos took a free kick from 25 meters away, the ball flew into the top corner but goalkeeper Ochoa made an excellent save.

In the second half, Mexico had no intention of changing their style of play, continuing to play defensive counter-attacks at high speed. Meanwhile, coach Joachim Loew's students also attacked continuously, but were completely deadlocked. Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Draxler and Werner all had many opportunities, but still could not overcome the well-organized defense of the blue team.The North and Central American representatives' defense covered each other well. They maintained their defensive counter-attacking style and even almost scored a second goal. From a counter-attack, Mexico was in a two-on-one situation. Chicharito dribbled the ball close to the penalty area but his cross was beyond Vela's control.

The Germans' mettle was not brought into play in this match. It felt like the German players had completely lost their composure since conceding the unexpected goal and collapsed when the referee blew the final whistle. Even coach Joachim Loew was "out of options" despite sending Reus and Gomez onto the field. The defending championsplayed their best, controlled the ball and had twice as many shots as their opponents, did everything they could. The only thing they couldn't do was score a goal. Given the way the game played, three points for Mexico were well deserved.

After a bitter defeat in the opening match, coach Loew and his players certainly know what to do in the remaining matches. They will meet Sweden on June 23 and South Korea on June 27.

Starting lineup of the two teams:

Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Plattenhardt, Khedira, Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Draxler, Werner

Mexico: Ochoa, Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo, Layun, Guardado, Herrera, Vela, Lozano, Chicharito