GERMAN JUGGERNAUT GROUND TO HALT IN WORLD CUP OPENER
Taking in a Die Mannschaft defeat is like watching the Generals beat the Globetrotters.
The Germans turn up at every major tournament expecting to reach a semifinal. Not winning is disappointing. Not reaching the final four is shocking.
They’ve done it 13 times in their history and still might.
But a stunning 1-0 loss to Mexico at raucous Luzhniki Stadium Sunday night could change the entire complexion of this World Cup.
It could produce the unthinkable: the defending world champs failing to reach the second round for the first time in the history of German soccer.
“It’s a situation we’re not used to at all,” coach Joachim Low responded after the biggest result in Mexican football history. “We will not suffer that fate. We will make it to the next round.”
You’d be foolish to bet against him. Then again, the Germans meet upset specialist Sweden in a must-not-lose Group F decider in Sochi later this week.
“There’s no reason to break out in panic,” Low said. We’ve all looked ahead. This was the knockout game before the real knockout round, the match that likely decided the right to potentially avoid hellbent Brazil in the Round of 16.
Now it looks like the Selecao could get their chance at World Cup redemption well before they expected to.
“I certainly don’t care who the opponent will be,” Low said after guaranteeing passage. He called any German loss “unfamiliar.”
This was the same German side that swatted Mexico 4-1 en route to claiming last summer’s Confederations Cup.
Now Low was watching Mexico’s players invade his bench area in jubilation after Hirving Lozano found the game-winner midway through the first half.
The explosion of noise inside Luzhniki was greater than anything felt back in Mexico City, where a sudden uptick in seismic activity was reportedly detected the moment Lozano beat Manuel Neuer.
This was a night when greenclad Mexican fans turned Moscow’s featured venue into Estadio Azteca 2, outnumbering and outvoicing stunned Die Mannschaft supporters who appeared gobsmacked.
They sang Cielito Lindo with such fervour it echoed through the historic venue as their team continually pressed forward in search of additional goals they likely should have scored.
Few mentioned post-game how this match would have got away from Germany in a big way if the Mexicans were able to capitalize on the abundance of man-advantage counterattacks they produced throughout the 90 minutes.
“We’d drawn up a plan six months ago — two quick players on the wing,” coach Juan Carlos Osorio said.
What hurt the Germans, though, was how uncharacteristically untidy they were in the final third. A side that commits eight players forward is in trouble if it turns over possession before an attempt at goal.
The Mexicans were ready to burst forward through Miguel Layun, Carlos Vela, Chicharito Hernandez and Lozano, making Germany’s midfield look as bad as it made Brazil look four years ago.
It was an action that eventually led to Lozano’s goal.
“When we scored, I just sat down and thought about the plan,” Osorio said.
“The plan was the next five minutes not conceding a goal.”
Guillermo Ochoa’s fingertip save on Toni Kroos’ free kick moments later hinted this Mexican side is in good enough form to beat anyone in this tournament. And, therefore, win it.
But Osorio just laughed when a reporter called Mexico the new “favourites.”
“I’d much rather say we’re going to rest and prepare for South Korea, which will be difficult,” Osorio said.
“Then we’ll look to Sweden and see how far we can get.”
Mexican supporters weren’t looking that far ahead, either. Sombrero-wearing supporters poured into the concourse at Luzhniki post-game chanting “Chucky,” Lozano’s nickname.
It was a result Mexicans will feel legitimized them as a powerhouse after decades of trying to prove themselves in a confederation that’s constantly disrespected in Europe.
El Tri has as good a chance as anyone to win a tournament in which everyone looks beatable.
It’s a situation we’re not used to at all. We will not suffer that fate (early elimination.) We will make it to the next round.