Football
Matt Stanger 6y

World Cup Daily: Mexico joy (and a proposal) meets Germany, Brazil woe; England seek winning start

It was a day of shocks on Sunday as Mexico beat world champions Germany 1-0 and Brazil toiled to a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Elsewhere, Serbia's new star lived up to his billing in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica...

The big story: Mexico stun Germany

The last time Germany lost their opening match at a World Cup was all the way back in 1982, but Mexico made the reigning champions pay for some sloppy defending in Moscow to earn their first -- and the first for any CONCACAF team for that matter -- win against Germany on the world's biggest stage.

As Joachim Low pushed his full-backs high and wide, Jerome Boateng and a frustrated Mats Hummels were left isolated against the Mexican wave of counter-attacks. It was from one such break that Hirving "Chucky" Lozano scored the winning goal, superbly cutting inside before firing low past a helpless Manuel Neuer.

With three of the last four World Cup winners eliminated in the group stage at the next tournament, the omens aren't good for Die Mannschaft.

Mexico, on the other hand, are riding high, after coach Juan Carlos Osorio told his players to "play for the love of winning and not the fear of losing." What an El Tri-umph.

Video of the day: I do?

Caught up in the moment or planned all along? Either way, it was a great day for this Mexican fan to propose.

ICYMI, Brazil couldn't beat Switzerland

Having seen Argentina stumble against Iceland and Germany fall at the feet of Mexico in the previous 24 hours, Brazil may reflect on their draw with Switzerland as a decent point.

Philippe Coutinho smashed them into the lead with that goal you've seen him score a hundred times, before Steven Zuber headed home the equaliser, possibly via a push on the sprawling Miranda.

With Brazil conceding onĀ 10 goals from the last 12 shots on target they've faced at the World Cup, you wonder if goalkeeper Alisson regrets choosing to represent the Selecao over Iceland.

Still, they have the chance to put things right against Costa Rica on Friday.

It's time to believe the Milinkovic-Savic hype

That's right, the name on everyone's lips in Serbia versus Costa Rica was Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who inspired his team to a 1-0 victory.

With the touch of Zinedine Zidane and the gangling limbs of Marouane Fellaini, the 23-year-old is unlike any footballer you've seen before -- and an absolute joy to watch.

The Manchester United target dominated the Costa Rica defence, creating a superb opening for the wasteful Aleksandar Mitrovic (who this correspondent definitely didn't tip for a big tournament). Oops.

Tweet of the day

Even the Mexican subtitles got carried away with Hirving Lozano's GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL...

What's ahead on Sunday?

Sweden vs South Korea: The big question in this intercontinental match-up is how Sweden will fare without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There was talk of the LA Galaxy striker making a comeback for the World Cup, but the Swedes have decided to look to the future.

It's a good job John Guidetti doesn't look nervous.

After picking up just a single point at the 2014 World Cup, South Korea will be aiming to make amends, led by in-form Spurs striker Son Heung-min. This should be an intriguing battle between two teams buoyed by Germany's loss to Mexico in Group F.

Belgium vs Panama: Ah, the Belgian dark horses. Will this be the tournament where they finally live up to expectations? Can Eden Hazard prove he's a rival to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar? Or will Panama's MLS cohort help them grind out a shock result?

Find out the answers to all these questions and more when it's time for kick-off in Sochi.

England vs Tunisia Since England beat Tunisia 2-0 to begin their France 1998 campaign, they have won only one opening game at seven major tournaments -- a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in 2006. And even that was thanks to a third-minute Carlos Gamarra own goal.

It wouldn't be a surprise, then, to see another faltering display in Volgograd as a youthful Three Lions side dip their toes into the World Cup waters.

For several, it will be their first taste of a major tournament. There is a sense of cautious optimism sweeping the country, but this really could go one of two ways.

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