Defending champions Germany crashed to the first defeat in their opening game of a World Cup since 1982 as Hirving Lozano’s clinical finish earned Mexico a shock 1-0 victory on Sunday.
The highly-rated PSV Eindhoven forward struck the winner on 35 minutes after a blistering counter-attack at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as Mexico beat Germany for just the second time in history.
Here, we examine the performance of Mexico’s coveted star Lozano.
30-SECOND REPORT
Lozano is nicknamed ‘Chucky’ (after the movie horror doll) for his rather humorous proclivity to jump out from underneath player’s beds and scare them.
Against Germany, he sprung out of the open space vacated by a naively high-up Joshua Kimmich and terrorised the defending champions.
The 22-year-old was marked out as Mexico’s key threat in the build-up but it appears Joachim Low did not take heed of the PSV Eindhoven talent with the winger deeply impressive off the left wing in a 4-2-3-1.
El Tri were smart in their attacking strategy, not committing too many numbers forward on the counter but then playing off Lozano as he stretched out wide before playing his way into the box.
With more composure, he might have added another goal or an assist to his display.
GOT RIGHT
First touch – In a counter-attacking system, the first touch from the player on the out ball must be pristine. Lozano’s was immaculate, testifying to both his concentration and above all, his confidence.
Acceleration – It’s an obvious statement to make but speed kills and ultimately Lozano’s piercing pace undone Germany. Mexico noticeably dropped deeper when he departed because the ability to spring forward through Lozano was missed.
GOT WRONG
Burn out – Following on from the above, Lozano was brought off just past the hour mark and appeared fatigued. Carrying out his talent for 90 minutes is absolutely pivotal for Mexico going forward.
Here is the Goal by #22 from Mexico Lozano 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/Zx7SL7fAhY
— FIFA World Cup (@CopaMundiaI) June 17, 2018
KEY MOMENTS
2nd min CHANCE: Mexico are in already and it’s a really nice move on the left. Lozano moves into the inside lane between full-back and centre-back, drops his shoulder and shapes to shoot before Jerome Boateng produces a world-class block for a corner.
25th min TOUCH: A first-touch to melt hearts. Lozano sensually picks out a lofted diagonal ball from the sky, cuts inside but his effort is wide.
34th min GOAL: It’s been coming and the avenue was always going to arrive on Lozano’s left. The German’s attack with numbers, lose the ball and Mexico break at warp speed. Javier Hernandez’s rapid one-two in midfield gives him time to slip the ball out onto a hurtling Lozano and he cuts back inside then fires low to Manuel Neuer’s right.
37th min FOUL: The good and the bad in a matter of minutes. Lozano produces a classic forward’s challenge as he chops down Kimmich just outside the box. Toni Kroos’ delightful free-kick is just tipped onto the bar.
65th min SUB: Juan Carlos Osorio flicks off the light with Lozano substituted for Raul Jimenez.
VERDICT
Everton, Villarreal and Arsenal are all rumoured to be scouting Lozano and the reports from this game will be of a livewire.
The biggest takeaway will be his supreme confidence meshed to blistering speed. His finish was superb and his performance emblematic of this energetic Mexico attack.
RATING: 8/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
