Mexico hands Neuer rude return
Serbia also shock Costa Rica in Russia
Moscow – Manuel Neuer, Germany’s Captain Fantastic, returned to competitive football yesterday on the biggest stage of all after a nine-month absence, but his comeback ended in intense frustration as the world champions lost 1-0 to Mexico.
The giant Bayern stopper has been sidelined since fracturing a bone in his left foot in September in a recurrence of an injury he suffered earlier last year.
Neuer’s return to the national side was carefully stage-managed – two games were set up behind closed doors just to give him match practice – and it was no surprise when he was announced as the number one for Russia.
Wearing a blue jersey with a bright green captain’s armband, Neuer led his team out onto the pitch in front of 80 000 people at the Luzhniki Stadium, hugging his defenders before clapping the massed ranks of flag-waving German fans behind the goal.
The 32-year-old was first called into action in the second minute, pouncing to smother the ball after it was whipped into the box from a Mexican corner.
Moments later he was up towards the half-way line, launching an attack before making a couple of comfortable saves as Mexico probed.
Mexico looked the more creative and dangerous team throughout the first period and finally made their superiority count in the 35th minute when Hirving Lozano drove into the area, checked and beat Neuer at his near post.
Neuer was a key player in Germany’s World Cup triumph in 2014, winning the Golden Glove as the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper as the side let in just four goals in their seven games in Brazil.
For large periods of yesterday’s match, he stood well outside his penalty area, directing play from the back.
Neuer was a key player when Germany lifted the World Cup trophy in 2014, winning the Golden Glove
In the second half, Neuer was a virtual spectator as the defending champions dominated possession.
As frustration mounted, he tried to haul Javier Hernandez to his feet after the Mexico forward went down in the box.
With the minutes ticking away, Neuer was standing in the centre circle as his team huffed and puffed, searching for an equaliser.
In another World Cup
● fixture yesterday, Aleksandar Kolarov’s brilliant second-half free-kick gave Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in Samara.
The Roma defender made the crucial breakthrough early in the second half with a magnificent effort. – AFP