Match Review: Mexico v. Germany

Mexico v Germany

Score: 1-0

Goal: Hirving Lozano 35'

Possession: 33-67

Shots: 13-26

Man of the match: Hirving Lozano

In a tactical masterclass by manager Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico defeat Germany 1-0 to open up their World Cup campaign. The match started off with Mexico immediately taking it to Germany. Within the first minute a clear cut opportunity was created. The ball was played to striker Javier Hernandez who beautifully setup winger Hirving Lozano. Who was clear through but failed to get a shot on target. Then just four minutes later a clear opportunity from Germany was created. A fantastic through ball by Joshua Kimmich was played into striker Timo Werner who fired a shot cross goal that went just past the far post. These early attacks showed how the game would play out. Germany was going to be in total control of the ball but Mexico would look deadly on the counter attack. As the match continued Germany struggled to create anything concrete with their possession and were giving the ball away in midfield. This lead to many deadly counter attacks by the Mexicans. The first and only goal came from one of those counter attacks in the 35th minute. The ball was won back in midfield by Hector Herrera who played it forward to Javier Hernandez. Hernandez was able to find a bombing forward Lozano who fired it past Neuer at the near post. The Germans immediately had a response just 3 minutes later. When Toni Kroos' free kick was saved onto the bar by keeper Guillermo Ochoa. This ended the half at 1-0 to Mexico. The second half started with Mexico sitting a little more back and allowing Germany to really command the play. They immiately started pinning the Mexican defense back and creating chances. The first came from a cross from Jerome Boateng to fullback Joshua Kimmich who went for the spectacular bicycle kick but it just flew over the bar. This started waves and waves of German attacks. The Germans created multiple half chances. With sliced crosses and poor off target finishes. Throughout all of this the Mexicans continued their counter attacks. Midfielder Miguel Layun had multiple chances in 1v1s on the break as he failed to make anything of them. Unfortunately for Germany the inability find the final pass or get the key shots on target was their downfall. It isn't the end of the road for Germany at all with two very easy matches on the cards. For Mexico this is a massive win with now only needing one more win to progress into the round of 16.