Half-time report: Germany 0 - 1 Mexico: Lozano strike shocks the champions

Hirving Lozano scored the opening goal for Mexico against defending champions Germany in the first half in Luzhniki Stadium.

Hiriving Lozano scores the opening goal against Germany in the 35th minute

The first half of the Group F match between Mexico and holders Germany ended with Mexico taking a shock lead through Hiriving Lozano's 35th minute goal in Luzhniki Stadium.

Mexico nearly took the lead inside the opening minute, but Jerome Boateng came from nowhere to deflect the shot behind after Hirving Lozano was just lining up a shot from in close. Germany hit straight back, Joshua Kimmich's finding Timo Werner, but the RB Leipzig striker dragged his shot across the face of goal.

After losing 4-1 in the semifinals of the 2017 Confederations Cup against Germany, Mexico allowed the World Champions to have more ball possession. The strategy yielded fair amount of chances on the counterattack, with Carlos Vela as the team’s main attacking outlet.

Mexico finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when a counterattack resulted in Javier Hernandez playing Hirving Lazano through and the PSV attacker stabbed home at the near post. Germany won a freekick just outside the Mexico box but Toni Kroos' curling effort was brilliantly saved by Guillermo Ochoa.