World Cup holders Germany will be looking to put a rocky build-up behind them when they face Mexico in their opening Group F game in the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday (4pm BST).
Joachim Low’s side have only won once since qualifying for the tournament with maximum points, edging past Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final warm-up game.
There has also been controversy as Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan were jeered by Germany fans in recent friendlies after posing for a photograph alongside Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Overview
It is odd to talk about a slump in form when it comes to Germany. But since sealing qualification for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 and a new joint European record of 43 goals (scored by 21 different players), they have won just one of six friendly games. That solitary success was a sketchy 2-1 victory over a Saudi Arabia side who have since been thrashed 5-0 by Russia.
Aiming to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, it has not been ideal preparation, but as midfielder Toni Kroos said this week: “We have often proved that we are there when it starts.”
A daunting task awaits, then, for Mexico, especially as they were hammered 4-1 by Germany’s B team in the Confederations Cup semi-finals last year. Led by quirky Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who is a divisive figure in Mexico, their experienced squad contains 13 players with over 50 caps.
Head-to-head
Mexico’s only win against Germany in 11 internationals (D5, L5) was in a friendly in June 1985.
This will be the fourth World Cup encounter between the sides. Germany won 6-0 in the first group stage in 1978, 2-1 in the round of 16 in 1998 and they drew 0-0 in the 1986 quarter-finals, with Germany progressing 4-1 on penalties.
About Germany :
- oachim Low is aiming to become only the second coach in history to win back-to-back World Cups after Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.
- Germany have topped their group at every World Cup since 1990 and have reached the semi-finals at the last four tournaments.
- They last failed to score in their opening World Cup match in 1978, drawing 0-0 with Poland.
- Germany have only won one of six friendlies since qualification finished (D3, L2).
About Mexico :
- Mexico have gone out in the round of 16 at each of the last six World Cups. They have only ever reached the last eight on home soil, doing so in 1970 and 1986.
- This is Mexico’s 16th World Cup. Only Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina have qualified for more.
- Among the eight teams to have qualified for the World Cup at least 14 times, Mexico are the only side yet to win the tournament.
- El Tri haven’t lost their opening match at a World Cup since a 1-0 loss to Norway in 1994 (W4, D1).
- Mexico have lost only two of their last 17 group stage matches at a World Cup (W8, D7) – a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in 2010 and a 2-1 loss to Portugal in 2006.
Team Comparison & History
Prediction
Football Experts at BBC Predicts : Germany have stuttered since qualifying but I think normal service will resume once the tournament starts.
Mexico have got some talented footballers and they play in a style that is easy on the eye but you would back Germany to get the job done. Prediction : Germany 1-0 Mexico.
Probable Line-ups
Germany’s predicted line-up vs Mexico
Mexico’s predicted line-up vs Germany
Squads
Germany :
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (FC Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Mexico :
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Standard Liege), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul)
Defenders: Diego Reyes (Porto), Carlos Salcedo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Hector Moreno (Real Sociedad), Miguel Layun (Sevilla), Jesus Gallardo (Pumas), Hugo Ayala (Tigres UANL), Edson Alvarez (Club America)
Midfielders: Hector Herrera (Porto), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Rafa Marquez (Atlas), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Javier Aquino (Tigres UANL), Jesus Corona (Porto), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America), Javier Hernandez (West Ham United), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven).