Mexico left defending champions Germany tired and beaten in the first major upset at the 2018 World Cup.

A Herving Lozano goal in the first half proved priceless for a team that has played four times already with the European giants at the World Cup but was yet to record a victory.

And when the young PSG  talent turned Hummels in with a touch of grace in the 35^th minute Germany had been left completely exposed at the back with Neuer at his mercy. He struck low and hard for the goal of glory which many Mexicans will remember for years.

Germany had more strikes at goal and perhaps a lot more possession but it was the North American side that had the better of the glaring chances including what looked like a legitimate penalty disallowed.

It could have been embarrassing for the defending champions, had Mexico been ruthless in front of goal but what they did not do in attack, they did in defence with resilience as if their lives depended on it.

Germany had been shambolic in preparation towards the World Cup. A shabby 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia was all the defending champions could boast of after defeats to Denmark, Croatia and a draw with Wales.

But they were still hoping to hold on to the tradition of winning their opening game at the World Cup as they have done in their last seven consecutive appearances. Having already beaten the North American side in last year’s Confederations Cup 4-1 their confidence was high but everything came tumbling down in Moscow, Russia.

Mexico were gritty in defence, lightening in attack and gave the defending champions a heart-pumping opener but nothing to show for it.

It was a vintage performance, a well-deserved victory for a team that made determination a value, played to their strength-speed and skill- and left the Germans stunned in Group E.

It was a great opening 15 minutes with chances at both ends as Neuer and Ochoa were on duty for the most part.

With just a minute into play, the hero of day made his intentions known to the defending Champions. But for a timely intervention by Jerome Boateng in the sixth-yard box the Mexicans would have been in the lead.

The Germans responded two minutes later but Werner’s shot whisked just wide. The Mexicans were sleek with defence-splitting passes and a pace always difficult for the Germans to handle.

It was clear and with the abundance of chances created by both sides a goal was on its way. It came in the 35th minute The Germans had lost possession deep in the Mexican half and in a lightning pace, the North Americans turned defence into attack and eventually into a goal. Three passes from that break in the German attack and the Mexicans were in the opponents' goal area. Javier Hernandez laid a fine one for Lozano but it was his first touch that caused the damage. That touch left Hummels completely beaten and with just Neuer in post-Lozano struck had into the yawning net for the opening.

The Germans were wounded and desperate for an equaliser. In the 38th minute, Kroos had his curly freekick ricochet the post after a finger-tip save by Ochoa.

Back from recess the Mexicans had their job well cut out. They needed to hold on even if they could not add to the tally. They did with their hearts in their mouth for the most time.

The Germans made the Mexican attacking area their destination with Kimmich coming close with a brilliant overhead kick which went agonizingly wide.

Few minutes earlier the Mexicans had been denied what appeared to be a legitimate penalty after  Hernandez was virtually held on his shoulder and dragged to the ground but the referee waved play on much to the surprise of the Mexican fans.

But they still had a job to do and they remained focused in defence. In the last five minutes the Germans increased their momentum in a desperate hope for an equalizer but the North Americans defended well until it was all over.