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FIFA World Cup 2018: Big names falter as Mexico shock Germany, Brazil held by Switzerland

It was not a great day for big teams at FIFA World Cup 2018.

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Mexican players celebrate after their win against Germany.
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It was not a great day for reputations at the FIFA World Cup 2018 as big names were found wanting against so-called weaker opposition on Sunday. 

Defending champions Germany were upset by Mexico, while five-time champions Brazil were held to draw by Switzerland on day 4 of competitions in Russia. . 

Germany blown by Mexican wave

Hirving Lozano's first half strike stunned Germany as Mexico won 1-0 in the opening game of Group F in FIFA World Cup 2018. 

A shaky warm-up campaign had called into question the dominant form the Germans showed in qualifying, but experience and records were on their side, having won every opening game at major tournaments since Joachim Loew took over as coach in 2006.

However, Mexico had other ideas. They held their own against the favourites and ended their 33 year wait for a win against Germany. 

 

After wasting a handful of first-half chances while living dangerously in their own half, Hirving Lozano's 35th-minute strike on the break proved just reward.

When centre back Mats Hummels lost possession deep in the Mexican half, Javier Hernandez was released through the middle. He outpaced Jerome Boateng and with a less than perfect pass found Lozano, who controlled the ball, cut inside Mesut Ozil, held off a charging Toni Kroos and slotted past Manuel Neuer.

At the other end, Guillermo Ochoa tipped a blistering Kroos free kick on to the bar minutes later, in what was to prove the Germans' closest effort of a match in Moscow in which they had more than 60 percent possession but could not make it count.

Zuber cancels out Coutinho's goal

A second-half header from Steven Zuber cancelled out a sensational early goal from Philippe Coutinho as Switzerland and Brazil drew 1-1 in a tight Group E World Cup opener on Sunday.

 

With 20 minutes gone, Coutinho gathered a clearance 25 yards from goal and curled a marvellous shot into the far corner off the post to give the five-times world champions the lead.

However, Switzerland, who had looked toothless throughout the first half, got back on level terms five minutes into the second period when Zuber rose unmarked to head home a corner kick. Coutinho had Brazil's best chance after the break but shot wide.

Kolarov leads the way

In the first game of the day, Aleksandar Kolarov produced a moment of captain's inspiration as he curled home a superb free kick as Serbia got their World Cup Group E campaign up and running with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica.

 

With Costa Rica proving a tough nut to crack, Kolarov stepped up to bury a 25-metre effort from wide on the right, lighting up an otherwise tight game in the southern Russian city of Samara.

Serbia lead Group E ahead of Brazil, Switzerland and Costa Rica.

(With Reuters Inputs)

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