It was a defeat that left Germany “crestfallen”, was described as an ’embarrassment’ by the country’s media and even triggered an earth tremor, such were the celebrations in Mexico.
World Cup holders Germany looked a shadow of their usual selves as they were humbled 1-0 in Moscow – and the result could have been much worse for them.
But despite the loss – the first for a German team in a World Cup opener since 1982 – coach Joachim Low remains confident that his side will progress to the knockout stage in Russia.
“We will not suffer that fate, we will make it to the next round,” he said.
“In tournaments, losing a match can happen and you have to accept it. We will not become reckless.
“We will continue to look forward. There is no reason to panic. We have three matches and ample opportunities to correct this result.”
‘It could have been five’
PSV winger Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game when he broke down the left, cut inside past a weak challenge from Mesut Ozil and fired past Manuel Neuer at the near post.
It was not a one-off. Time and again Mexico caught Germany on the counter, with the world champions made to look cumbersome and slow to react in midfield.
“Mexico broke five or six times in the first half and they had two or three opportunities in the second half when just the final pass was lacking for them,” said former England captain Alan Shearer on BBC One.
“It was an immaculate performance by them.”
