Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game as Mexico secured a thoroughly deserved win over a desperately poor Germany.
Germany’s defence of their World Cup title started with a whimper as they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Mexico in Moscow on Sunday.
Joachim Low’s side came into the tournament on a run of poor form, winning just one of their six friendlies since qualifying for Russia 2018 with a 100 per cent record.
Those recent struggles were evident from the outset against a vibrant Mexico, who scarcely gave their more illustrious opponents a chance to settle during a pulsating opening.
Their positive approach was rewarded with the only goal of the game after 35 minutes when Hirving Lozano finished off a flowing counter-attacking move with a crisp drive.
Joshua Kimmich and Timo Werner both came close in the second period, but Mexico were able to hold on for a famous victory with something approaching relative comfort.
MATCH FACTS AND STATS
Germany: Neuer 6; Kimmich 5, Boateng 7, Hummels 6, Plattenhardt 5 (Gomez 79); Khedira 6 (Reus 60), Kroos; 7 Muller 6, Ozil 6, Draxler; 6 Werner 5 (Brandt 86).
Booked: Hummels, Muller
Mexico: Ochoa 8; Salcedo 7, Ayala 7, Moreno 6, Gallardo 7; Layun 7, Guardado 7 (Marquez 74), Herrera 7; Vela 8 (Alvarez 58, 6), Hernandez 8, Lozano 8 (Jimenez 66, 6).
Booked: Moreno, Herrera
Goals: Lozano (35).
Mexico were able to keep them at bay until Kimmich’s ambitious overhead kick and Werner’s instinctive close-range effort both flashed narrowly over in quick succession midway through the half.
After squandering a number of golden opportunities in the closing stages, with Miguel Layun particularly wasteful, Mexico were fortunate to see Julian Brandt flash a half-volley just past the post in a frantic finish.
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