El Tri’s form wasn’t impressive heading into the World Cup, but they erased a lot of doubt on Sunday.
Mexico knocked off Germany, 1-0, in their Group F opener at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, after Hirving Lozano’s first-half strike.
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Lozano scored his first World Cup goal in the first half, after Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez picked out a great pass to put Mexico in front following a counterattack.
#MundialTelemundo En voz de 🎙 @AndresCantorGOL así vivimos el gol de @HirvingLozano70 para el 1-0 de #MEX sobre #GER pic.twitter.com/lEFVHW9SEu
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2018
Both goalkeepers were tested early and often on the day, with Mexico particularly coming out to a flying start against the reigning World Cup champions.
The finish came just two minutes prior to Toni Kroos’ brilliant free kick, which was kept out by an equally-incredible save by El Tri goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Espectacular! @yosoy8a ahoga el empate de #GER pic.twitter.com/QpbsPQRqNU
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2018
As Mexico began to sit back further in the second stanza, the Germans took control of the game, however, the European side struggled in the final third.
Joshua Kimmich was among the threats for the Germans, after nearly scoring an acrobatic bicycle kick off of a low cross from Jerome Boateng.
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Meanwhile, Rafael Marquez entered the match late for Mexico, making him the third player in World Cup history to appear in five tournaments.
El Tri will take on South Korea on June 23 in their second Group F matchup, while Germany meets Sweden that same day.