2018 FIFA World Cup: Hirving Lozano's strike sees gritty Mexico stun Germany

Moscow: Germany began their title defence in bizarre fashion after Mexico secured a gritty 1-0 win at Olimiyskiy Stadium in Moscow on Sunday. Both teams started on an attacking note but it was Hirving Lozano who put Mexico up in the 35^th minute.

Joachim Low’s men continued the second-half with more intent as they enjoyed possession in the opposition half. At the end of the day, they were pretty uncompromising in defence and failed to breach the code as the Mexicans proved to be too strong for them.

Mexico will be high on confidence knowing that they have advanced to World Cup knockout stages in the past six tournaments. Meanwhile, Germany need to turn the tide around as they face stern tests from Sweden and South Korea.

Thanks for joining us. This was Nicolai Nayak bringing you all the live action. Until then, goodbye!

Live events:

FULL TIME: Germany 0 - 1 Mexico (Hirving Lozano 35')

90 + 3' PEEP PEEP! What a win for Mexico! Their opponents cannot believe it as Joachim Low's men walk out with their heads down. They become the third side in World Cup history to lose their first match and now have a big task ahead to turn things around.

90' Three minutes to go as the Mexicans near a historic win.

89' YELLOW CARD Herrera goes into the referee's book

88' CHANCE! Brandt turns supplier first as Mexico crowd the box. The ball somehow falls into his path again and on the volley, he shoots it wide off the left top corner.

87' GOMEZ HEADS IT WIDE! Mexico hold their shape as Kimmich curls a cross into the box. Mario Gomez jumps high but cannot get the desired contact to pull Germany level.

86' SUBSTITUTION Final change for Germany as Julian Brandt replaces Werner, who limps off the field.

83' YELLOW CARD! Hummels is now booked for a rusty challenge on Herrara.

82' YELLOW CARD! Muller sees yellow as he brings down Herrera, pulling the midfielder's shirt.

80' TWO CHANCES MISSED! Plattenhardt's departure has exposed the left half of Germany and the opposition take advantage. Miguel Layun has a better chance in the second attempt but his shot is nowhere on target.

79' SUSBTITUTION Bold and attacking change for Germany as Plattenhardt comes off for Mario Gomez

77' LAYYYUUNNN! SO CLOSE! Mexico hit on the break and Layun is left one-on-one with Plattenhardt. The defender attempts to close him down and in a hurry, he unleashes his effort over the bar.

76' CLOSE After constant attempts to find an opener, Kimmich a ball into the path of Kroos who takes a fierce hit bending just wide of the right side corner.

74' SUBSTITUTION Rafael Marquez replaces Guardado. Historic moment for the former Barcelona centre-back becomes the first player to captain a side at four World Cup.

68 PENALTY APPEAL! The German defence is opened after an exquisite through ball which heads towards Hernandez. He makes his way into the box before having contact with Hummels and going to the ground.

67' BLOCK Draxler has a touch into the box via a cross which heads over Salcedo. It is followed by a corner which Werner burst over the crossbar.

66' SUBSTITUTION Lozano is replaced by new Wolves signing Jimenez.

63' KIMMICH! Boateng swings a cross into the box towards Kimmich whose bicycle kick is just over the bar.

61' Germany continue to attack in the opposition half but it is the number of bodies in the penalty box that is denying them openings. Frustrating looks on the faces of German fans.

59' SUBSTITUTION! First change for Germany as Marco Reus replaces Sami Khedira. First World Cup appearance for the Dortmund winger.

56' OFFISIDE! Ozil finds Muller in the middle. The lanky forward takes a shot at long but Ochoa palms it away. The effort wouldn't have counted anyway.

55' CHANCE! Mexico have a chance to increase their advantage as Vela and Hernandez break on the counter leaving Boateng alone. The former Manchester United striker plays his partner who completely misjudges the pass.

53' CORNER! Ozil plays Draxler through on the left. The winger tries to curl it towards the far corner but the shot is deflected off a Mexico defender.

52' Germany have enjoyed possession so far in the second half but can't find any real chances.

50' Low's men are upping the tempo and need to stay alert on their toes till the final whistle.

50' FOUL Boateng brings down Hernandez near the touchline. The Bayern Munich defender needs to be a little more cautious.

48' Plattenhardt tests the keeper with a decent shot from outside the box but it's too easy. The Germans will look forward to many opportunities like this.

45' PEEP! The second half is underway

HALF TIME: Germany 0 - 1 Mexico (Hirving Lozano 35')

45 + 1' One minute of added time before we head into the break.

44' PENALTY APPEAL! Plattenhardt whips in a cross which misses Muller, who appeals he was shoved down inside the box. Mexico surge forward on the break before Vela shoots it wide.

42' Mexico's pace causing all sorts of problem to the opposition who lose the ball high up the pitch. Low's men have not been neat in possession so far.

38' YELLOW CARD! Moreno sees a booking for time wasting.

37' Lozano brings down Kimmich in a dangerous area outside the box. Kroos steps up to take the free-kick but it just can't beat the Mexico custodian.

35' GOOOOOOAAAALLLL! Mexico break the deadlock through Lozano. We could see it coming. Mexico win possession as Hernandez and the PSV winger exchange fluid passes with the German defence being carved out open. Lozano cuts inside, beating his marker before firing into the bottom left corner.

33' SO CLOSSSEEE! Vela picks out Layun who gets ahead of both his markers but cannot pick the through ball

30' Germany's defence being exposed on occasions. Mexico look threatening in the final third.

28' BLOCKED! Mexico break on the counter through Vela but his cross inside the box is intercepted

24' YELLOW CARD! Kimmich is the first man to go into the referee's book for a high boot on Moreno

23' OCHOA KEPT BUSY Ozil picks Draxler who cuts inside. The ball is played towards Kroos who takes a shot at the keeper.

20' SAVED Hummels finds Werner with a lofted ball. The RB Leipzig forward is accompanied by Draxler put choose to take a close shot instead of playing the PSG winger wide.

17' ALMOST 1-0! Hernandez is played into the box after the German defence is opened wide. The West Ham striker pulls the trigger too late.

15' BIG CHANCE Kimmich is free on the right and crosses towards Khedira into the penalty box. Salcedo comes close to giving away an own goal as he pokes it wide of the post.

14' CLOSE! Mexico are awarded a free-kick after the ball strikes the hand of Toni Kroos. Layun swings in a delicious cross which is met by Moreno but there's not much power as Neuer collects it on the bounce.

12' Attack, attack, attack! Both teams are not backing down here and a cracker of a contest in on the cards.

10' SHOT! Herrera takes a strong hit from outside the box, testing the keeper.

7' NASTY CHALLENGE! Hummels brings down Vela in a dangerous position outside the box. Layun takes the free-kick but it's up and over the crossbar.

5' Kimmich and Plattenhard have pushed further forward to the wings and now the team is deploying a 3-5-2 system with Muller and Werner upfront.

3' FIRED WIDE! Werner collects Kimmich's through ball on the right and fires inches wide across the face of goal.

2' GERMANY CAUGHT NAPPING! The midfielders exchange two passes before playing Lozano on the left. The PSV winger cuts in but has his shot blocked by Boateng.

1' KICK OFF! Action gets underway

Preview:

Germany begin their title defence on Sunday as they face Mexico in the first match of Group F. The men in green have nothing to lose against one of the favourites for the tournament who have looked unconvincing in their warm up games.

But given the depth of Joachim Low’s squad despite keeping out the likes of Leroy Sane, Jonathan Tah and Bernard Leno, the Europeans will bank on their big players to do the job.

Germany are trying to become the first team to 56 years to retain the prestigious title. The last time the two sides met was the 2017 Confederations Cup where the Germans hammered their opponents by 4-1.

Could there be any surprises this time?

Line ups: Germany line-up in a 4-2-3-1 system and look pretty balanced. Hertha Berlin's replaces Jonas Hector at left-back who has caught cold. Mexico will have their hopes pinned on Javier Hernandez and Hirving Lozano. Here is how both the teams shape up for today

Squads:

Germany

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich)

Strikers: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Standard Liege), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul).

Defenders: Carlos Salcedo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Diego Reyes (Porto), Hector Moreno (Real Sociedad), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Edson Alvarez (America), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Miguel Layun (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Hector Herrera (Porto), Jonathan Dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Forwards: Javier Hernandez (West Ham), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (America), Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven).

Substitute: Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca).

Where is the match?

The match will take place at the Olimiyskiy Stadium in Moscow.

When is the match?

The match is scheduled to start at 8:30 P.M. IST on Sunday, June 17th.

Live telecast:

With Sony Sports Network acquiring the broadcasting rights, the matches can be aired live on Sony Ten 2/HD and Sony Ten 3/HD.

Live streaming:

Live action can be streamed via the SonyLiv app or on SonyLiv.com.