10:40 pm: Well, it’s time to wrap this live blog up... what a result. But don’t go away. It’s Samba time! Head over to the live blog of Brazil vs Sweden.
10:33 pm: In World Cup matches....
Germany have 7-game winning streak in openers snapped, last loss coming in 1982.
Germany lose for the first time since 2010 against Spain, ending a 8-match unbeaten run,
Germany lose to CONCACAF team for the 1st time in 8 matches.
Mexico win 1st match against Germany in 4 attempts
10:30 pm: Mexico hit Germany on the counter repeatedly, Germany had no response and 22-year-old Lozano grabbed his chance brilliantly. Germany become the third straight defending champions to fail to win their opening match.
10:26 pm: What a result for Mexico! Heroic performance. Came out roaring off the blocks, didn’t lose their heads despite missing chance after chance, but defended well enough to hang on.
GERMANY 0-1 MEXICO: That’s one heck of a surprising scoreline for a couple of reasons. First, of course, the defending champions losing. But more relevant to the 90 minutes that just went by, a flattering scoreline for Germany. Mexico could have won this by a much bigger margin!
Allow us a moment to catch our breath...
FULL-TIME: The curse of the defending champions strikes again! GERMANY HAVE BEEN STUNNED BY MEXICO! SCENESSSS.
93rd minute: Corner. Neuer is forward. Goes for a throw in. Neuer stays forward. Ochoa gathers the last shot.
92nd minute: Germany nearly work out a brilliant one-touch passing move, as Muller plays a lovely through ball but none of the runners can latch on to it. It’s almost done now.
90th minute: Another chance for Germany as we head into 3 mins of added time. Ochoa saves.
88th minute: OH, what a strike by Brandt! The substitute catches a volley nearly perfectly but it is just wide! Inches! Ochoa was beaten there.
87th minute: Chance for Gomez as the cross comes in from the right, but he can’t a free-ish header on target. The defenders doing enough to put him off there.
The noise in the stadium is off the charts now... Mexicans sense a famous win.
84th minute: Werner and Gomez break forward this time, the former is pushed away from goal but manages to set up Kroos for a shot – his left-footer is parried by Ochoa and gatheres in the second attempt. Time running out for Germany.
After 82 minutes Germany 0-1 Mexico
Mexico to pay the price for substituting Vela and Lozano too early? SO MANY BREAKS wasted. In just the last couple of minutes, a 3-on-2 and 3-on-3 opportunity goes begging. The pace is not there anymore and Germany are taking a chance with their (ridiculously ) high line.
Mario Gomez in on by the way...
78th minute: Oh, Mexico waste another chance! After Germany pile the pressure on Mexico’s goal with chance after chance... Layun has a chance to break away, one-on-one. But he doesn’t have the pace to go too close to goal, gets a shot away and it’s high and over.
After 75 minutes Germany 0-1 Mexico
Into the final 25... and a bit of World Cup history being made. Veteran Rafa Marquez comes on as a substitute and makes an appearance in his FIFTH World Cup.
72nd minute: Reus involved heavily since coming on. A volleyed-pass across the goal hits Gallardo flush in the face and the rebound falls to the German forward again, who volleys it over the goal.
Break in play as Gallardo gets treatment..
70th minute: Ohh, Hernandez was through on goal and looked to be fouled by the Hummels, and claims a penalty. But it looked like a late offside flag went up.
68th minute: Draxler tries to curl one to the far post top corner from just outside the box, wins a corner. Werner has a chance from the resulting move, but his effort his wide. Might have been offside anyway.
66th minute: Hirving Lozano, the goalscorer goes off to massive applause from the Mexican fans. Raul Jimenez comes on.
65th minute: CHANCE GERMANY! Ozil down the left flank plays a good pass to an onrushing Boateng, whose cross finds Kimmich in the 6-yard box – a bicycle kick loops over the goal. Good effort!
After 62 minutes, Germany 0-1 Mexico
Are Germany going to expose themselves more on the counter with that substitution?
60th minute: There you go, Loew rolls his dice. Khedira, who was perhaps the leggiest of all German players in this match so far, makes way for Marco Reus.
59th minute: ÁLVAREZ REPLACES CARLOS VELA
57th minute: Oh dear! What a chance for Mexico! This is getting to a point where Mexico could end up ruing leaving the match 1-0. Vela and Hernandez break forward together and it’s nearly a two-on-one, with German defenders backtracking. Hernandez tries to set up Vela but the pass is an ounce too heavy.
55th minute: Corner for Germany after Ozil sets up Draxler down the left flank, and he tries to Thierry-Henry it to the far post, deflected out. Corner comes to nothing with Kroos trying to cut in and take a shot.
After 52 minutes, Germany 0-1 Mexico
A good first touch is the mark of a talented footballer and Lozano has shown he has it in abundance. Not for the first time, kills a crossfield pass out on to the left flank with his chest... lovely stuff. Germany have started the second half much brighter though. Purposeful with the ball, pressing high without it.
48th minute: First shot on target in the second half and it’s left back Plattenhardt with a go at goal after some patient build-up play, easy take for Ochoa though.
Second half underway in Moscow...
09:31 pm: Teams are out for the second half... here we go again.
HALF-TIME, Germany 1-0 Mexico: 17 shots in that half, 9 on target. Germany had the ball more often, but Mexico made better use of it. But like we said earlier, for all the chances that Mexico created, the game is still 1-0 – will they rue not converting more of those counterattacks? Will Germany play like the defending champions in the next 45? Second half coming up...
HALF-TIME, Germany 1-0 Mexico: Some stats...
HALF-TIME: Some reactions to that first half...
HALF-TIME, GERMANY 0-1 MEXICO: PHEEWWW! We haven’t stopped typing for a single minute since the game began – it’s been that kind of a half. Played at a breakneck pace and Germany have been found out by the pace of Mexico. They look leggy. In a way, there are lucky they are still trailing 1-0.
Here’s a look at that Lozano goal. Look out for Chicharito’s role in the move. Great counterattack!
Into extra time, Germany 0-1 Mexico
Germanys claims for a penalty are not indulged by the ref and Mexico break forward at pace AGAIN – this move ends with a shot from Vela that is off target, but close.
After 43 minutes, Germany 0-1 Mexico
Another break from Mexico after a period of sustained Germany pressure. Doesn’t result in a chance but boy is their pace troubling Germany!
38th-39th minutes: OHHH, CROSSBAR! Germany pile on the pressure, win a freekick at a dangerous position, Kroos sends a curler heading into the top corner and Ochoa palms it onto the crossbar. Stunning hit, stunning save. Muller sends a dangerous cross from the resulting attacking move, but Mexico clear.
35th minute: GOALLLLL, MEXICO!! To say this has been coming would be a massive understatement. Germany are dispossessed in the Mexican half and they set up another fantastic counter-attack with Hernandez playing a lovely touch-pass in the midfield. Lozano is freed down the left channel, he cuts inside this time and sends a low shot below Neuer. WHAT A GOAL! What a start to his World Cup career by young Lozano!
34rd minute: CHANCE MEXICO! Oh, what a pass by former Arsenal man Carlos Vela through the center to set up Layun, it just evades him. Neuer recovers.
After 33 minutes, Germany 0-0 Mexico
Mexico have dominated in terms of goal-scoring chances so far and are regularly getting down Germany’s right, probably because of Kimmich playing high up – and he is a genuine attacking threat, mind you. The latest chance comes from that same area, as a cross is fizzed into the German box but no one there to convert.
After 30 minutes, Germany 0-0 Mexico
Mexico waste a few wonderful counterattacking opportunites... it’s one thing to be threatening and another to be wasteful against the Germans. The latest chance falls to Layun, who is set up by Lozano again after receiving a fantastic crossfield pass with a fantastic first touch, the shot is straight at Neuer again.
26th minute: Another Mexico break, Lozano again involved down the left, he cuts inside and tries to set up Layun but his shot is wild.
After 25 minutes, Germany 0-0 Mexico
First yellow card of the night and it’s Kimmich in the books. Rough challenge on Herrera in the middle of the pitch. Mexico are threatening every time they break forward, Germany look measured in possession and the first 25 minutes have just flown by!
22nd minute: ANOTHER SHOT ON TARGET! Wow, this game. Ozil, Draxler set up Kroos to have a go from outside the box and his left-footer has fizz on it, but Ochoa goes down well to his left and catches it.
20th minute: Another shot on target, this time by Werner. Turns well inside the box with his back to the goal and gets a short away, again straight at the keeper.
18th minute: CHANCE MEXICO! Fantastic build-up play, evading a few challenges, sees Chicharito freed down the left channel... his first touch is fantastic but instead of shooting with his left he tries to cut in and allows German defenders to get back and crowd him out.
16th minute: GERMANY GO CLOSE! Kimmich with a fizzing cross from the right flank, and the Mexican defenders somehow get it out for a corner. Kroos then goes for a long-ranger which is on target but straight at the keeper.
BONKERS START TO THE GAME!
14th minute: CHANCE MEXICO! Fantastic delivery from the free-kick finds the head of Moreno who diverts it towards goal but Neuer does well...
13th minute: Mexico are playing with a fantastic tempo high up the pitch now. Germany have conceded a free-kick after a handball by Kroos who is not happy with the decision. Free-kick for Mexico...
11th minute: A long-ranger from Herrera but it’s straight at Neuer... who didn’t look too comfortable catching that. Worth watching how he goes here.
After 8 minutes, Germany 0-0 Mexico
Germany pile on the pressure now. Some neat interplay from a corner sees the ball drop to Hummels at the edge of the box but his shot is straight at goal. Very physical start as well, with some crunching challenges from both sides. Mexico break forward and have a free kick from a dangerous position.
3rd min: CHANCE, GERMANY! What a cracking start to this game. Timo Werner makes a great run, is found by a through ball down the right channel and he is beyond the Mexican back-line, gets a shot away and it goes just wide. The angle was too tight.
1st min: OH WHAT A START, MEXICO! Lozano is freed down the left channel, cuts in and gets a short away which is just about blocked. There is a scramble from the resulting corner and Neuer gathers it after some pin-ball.
KICK-OFF: Both teams start in an identical 4-2-3-1 formation with Timo Werner and Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez starting up front for their respective teams.
08:28 pm: The national anthems are done and we are minutes away from kick-off...
08:22 pm: One of the pre-tournament issues for Germany was the Neuer situation, given he’s hardly played in 2018 after suffering an injury. He starts tonight and at Russia could create a World Cup record.
Most clean sheets in World Cup history:
Peter Shilton - 10
Fabien Barthez - 10
Sepp Maier - 8
Jan Jongbloed - 8
Leao - 8
Claudio Taffarel - 8
Iker Casillas - 7
Gilmar - 7
MANUEL NEUER - 7
08:15 pm: Germany coach Loew is aware of the task that faces this side, in trying to defend the World Cup title
“It’s the most difficult feat and history has demonstrated that, no one in 60 years [58, actually] has done it. Teams develop and change, players finish their careers and you must bring in new players which makes it the most difficult achievement.”
08:09 pm: The round-of-16 curse for Mexico...
With the help of two priestesses and a rain stick shaped like an ancient Mesoamerican god, Mexico’s “Grand Warlock” has cast a spell to help the national team, ahead of the tournament in Russia.
In a public ceremony, Antonio Vazquez – better known as the psychic “El Brujo Mayor” – invoked the plumed serpent god Quetzalcoatl to help Mexico end their 32-year wait to reach the quarter-finals.
The Mexicans have lost in the last 16 in six successive World Cups.
“Quetzalcoatl, give me all your force and power to break through heaven’s doors,” he said, his long white beard standing out against his green Mexico jersey.
08:05 pm: Here’s how the teams are expected to lineup...
08:00 pm: Some numbers on Germany...
Germany have also played in most World Cup matches: 106
Most semi-final appearances: 13
Most finals: 8
Most goals by teams at World Cup:
Germany/West Germany - 224
Brazil - 221
Argentina - 131
Italy - 128
France - 104
What stunning pedigree at the highest level!
07:52 pm: Timo Werner and Hirving Lozano both start tonight and they are expected to be two of the breakout stars at Russia 2018:
Lozano
Temperamental but extremely gifted, Hirving Lozano followed in the footsteps of a number of Latin American stars by swapping home for an introductory taste of European football in the Netherlands. He hit 17 goals in 29 games in his debut season abroad as PSV Eindhoven won the Dutch title and has drawn comparisons with Luis Suarez – both for his ability and disposition – while placing Europe’s bigger clubs on alert. He has a knack for the spectacular, scoring the winner for Pachuca minutes into his professional debut, while needing just half an hour to find the net for PSV. At 22, the hope is “Chucky” will mature given time, with Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio counting on him to sparkle.
Werner
Regarded as the heir to Germany’s record goalscorer Miroslav Klose, Timo Werner already boasts vast Bundesliga experience and a tendency to deliver on the big occasions. The 22-year-old was the top scorer at last year’s Confederations Cup, won by Germany, and a return of seven goals in 12 appearances since his international debut in March 2017 suggests he will be a mainstay in the national team for the next decade. Armed with searing pace – he was clocked running 100 metres in 11.1 seconds – the RB Leipzig forward is a constant threat on the counter and thrives by hanging on the shoulder of the last defender. A deep run by Germany in Russia could set Werner up for a shot at the tournament’s golden boot.
READ MORE: Break-out stars
07:45 pm: Alright, here we have the confirmed lineups for both the sides. There was some talk Mesut Ozil might not start but he does make the XI. And all eyes will be on Chicharito in the Mexican lineup.
(Graphic courtesy: Fifa World Cup / Twitter)
07:37 pm: Here’s something to get you in the mood, if you are a Die Mannschaft man.
07:32 pm: In case you missed it, Costa Rica were downed by Serbia 1-0 in the first of the three matches today, here’s how that game went down.
07:25 pm: Team news starting to come in, here’s how Germany are lining up. No Marco Reus in the XI, as it was expected.
07:20 pm: In 2014, Germany defeated Portugal 4-0 to kick-off their title-winning campaign. Today, the face Mexico, arguably the second-best team in the group.
07:10 pm: Germany, the defending champions, are unbeaten in EIGHT World Cup games, their last defeat at the finals being the 1-0 defeat against Spain in 2010.
07:05 pm: Want an idea how excited the Mexico fans are? Here’s a cool video.
07:00 pm: Hello all and welcome to The Field’s live blog of Germany’s first match of World Cup 2018 – the defending champions get their campaign underway in Russia. And their opponents today are Mexico. An easy win on the cards? Well, there are no easy wins at the World Cup, some would say. Given how ‘defending champions’ have fared in the last couple of World Cup finals, Germany wouldn’t want to take this one lightly.