Germany 0-1 Mexico: World Cup highlights and recap

Mexico beat Germany 1-0 in the World Cup on Sunday, June 17. Here are all the highlights from the match.

Mexico shocked Germany at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday, winning 1-0 thanks to Hirving Lozano’s first half goal and an impressive defensive performance in the second half.

Germany struggled to handle Mexico’s counter-attack, with neither Toni Kroos nor Sami Khedira fully operating as a holding midfielder. Several times in the first half, with the pair of them either pushing up to support the attack or to aid the press, El Tri found space in behind and got a free run at the Germany defense.

Carlos Vela, Lozano and Javier Hernandez had all been wasteful from good positions before Lozano gave Mexico a deserved lead in the 34th minute, combining beautifully with Hernandez before cutting onto his right foot and firing past Manuel Neuer into the bottom corner.

Germany almost responded immediately, as Kimmich won a free-kick at the top of the box that Kroos curled on target only to see Ochoa tip it onto the bar. Other than that, though, Low’s side had to settle for half chances, while Kimmich almost forced an own goal with a nice cross in the 16th minute.

With a lead to chase, Germany had little incentive to drop either central midfielder deeper, and Joachim Low soon went even more attacking by bringing on Marco Reus for Khedira early in the second half, moving Mesut Ozil into a deeper role. Their intensity in possession increased, but they continued to leave the same gaps at the back.

As the half progressed, Germany’s willingness to commit numbers forward began to tell, Mexico dropping deeper and deeper, though it also helped Juan Carlos Osorio took had taken off Vela and Lozano by the 70th minute. The introduction of Rafa Marquez shortly after made his intentions clear.

Kroos, Draxler and Muller all had opportunities, but none of them were clear-cut. Germany struggled to break down the El Tri defense, too often settling for crosses against a well-set defense. Low’s decision to leave Leroy Sane at home only seems more puzzling after this performance.

As puzzling as Germany’s performance was for long stretches, Mexico deserve huge credit. They looked strong at the back and capable of causing teams serious problems with their front three. Lozano, making his World Cup debut after a breakout season for PSV, looks like a star.

Next: The best player on every team at the World Cup

Highlights

In the second group stage game, Germany face Sweden, while Mexico face South Korea.