FIFA World Cup 2018: Germany crash to Mexico defeat 0-1

Defending champions Germany crashed to the first defeat in their opening game of a World Cup since 1982 as Hirving Lozanos clinical finish earned Mexico a shock 10 victory on SundayThe highlyrated PSV Eindhoven forward struck the winner on 35 minutes after a blistering counterattack at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as Mexico beat Germany for just the second time in historyGermanys preparations for the tournament were plagued by poor results and controversy and their problems were magnified in the Russian capital leaving their proud record of never being eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup already in dangerJoachim 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 goal following his lengthy absence for the Group F clashJerome Boatengs buildup to the finals was also hampered by a groin injury but the Bayern Munich centreback was on the alert inside 60 seconds to thrust himself desperately in front of a Lozano effortA remarkably open start saw Timo Werner sprint in behind the Mexico defence before dragging across the face of goal while Mats Hummels shot straight at Guillermo Ochoa after a botched clearanceNeuer held well twice in quick succession first from a longrange Hector Herrera strike and then again to keep out Hector Morenos header as Mexico attacked the Germany backline with regularityCarlos Salcedo nearly diverted a teasing cross into his own net while Timo Werner hit tamely at Ochoa when an umarked Julian Draxler appeared the better optionMexico continued to threaten Miguel Layun narrowly unable to latch onto a through ball but their goal arrived 10 minutes before the break as Germany were again sliced apartAfter Sami Khedira lost possession Javier Hernandez triggered a lightning counter before finding a charging Lozano who cut inside a covering Ozil and lashed low inside Neuers near post to spark deafening roars from the sizeable Mexico supportGermany hit back Toni Kroos rattling the crossbar with a 25yard freekick that needed the fingertips of a scrambling Ochoa to keep it out but Mexico barely clung on to their advantageMarco Reus was introduced on the hour as Loew sought to invigorate a struggling side while 39yearold Rafael Marquez became just the third player to feature at five World Cups as he was brought on the tighten Mexicos defenceJoshua Kimmichs acrobatic overhead kick looped onto the roof of the net with substitute Edson Alvarez then blocking bravely to thwart DraxlerReus also hammered a volley over from a narrowangle before a frenetic finale saw Julian Brandt just on for Werner smack the outside of the post with a thunderous effort from 20 yardsOne desperate last attack had Neuer come up for a corner but a towering header from the veteran Marquez and subsequent claim from Ochoa allowed Mexico to close out an unforgettable triumphCatch up on all the latest T20 news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Except for the change in the headline the story has been provided ASIS AS AVAILABLE without any verification or editing from our side Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever