After one round of group play at the World Cup in Russia, experts must reassess their view of the favorites. Defending champion Germany fell to Mexico 1-0 in what could have easily been 3-0 a loss thanks to its defensive breakdowns.
Powerful Brazil settled for a 1-1 tie against Switzerland, with superstar Neymar absorbing foul after foul in his first competitive game in four months. “We did not deserve to only draw, but I think we can improve, play a little better,” Neymar told reporters afterward.
Explosive Spain had to battle to a 3-3 tie with Portugal, overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-goal outburst. Iceland pulled another international surprise, tying Argentina 1-1 with the help of Lionel Messi’s missed penalty shot.
Also, France barely escaped disaster against lowly Australia before winning 2-1.
“What happened to Germany could happen to anyone,” Spain coach Fernando Hierro told reporters on Monday. “The 32 teams here are very good and the first game is always tough. Anxiety plays a big role.”
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS IN TROUBLE
Germany controlled long stretches of its match against Mexico, earning a 26-13 shots advantage. But Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa shut them out and Germany’s overly aggressive attack left it vulnerable to the deadly Mexico counter-attack.
It turned Germany midfielders Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira into pylons again and again — creating one odd-man break after another.
“If seven or eight players attack, then it’s clear the offensive force is greater than the defensive stability,” Germany center back Mats Hummels told Bundesliga. “That’s what I often talk about internally, to no affect. Our cover wasn’t good.”
Oh, and Germany could have used the highly-skilled Leroy Sané to give their attack a boost — but he was cut from the team before the World Cup started.
Another failure like this would prevent Germany from escaping group play.
“The pressure is extreme,” Muller told reporters. “There’s no room for any more slip-ups. It feels like the knockout stages have begun. We did not want this situation. We wanted to avoid it. We must handle it now.”
AS FOR MEXICO’S VICTORY
The confidence gained from upsetting Germany could propel this team deep into the World Cup bracket.
“Our objective is in the long term,” Mexico forward Javier Hernández said. “We want to get to the final. We have to go step by step. This is was an important step, but it wasn’t the only team that we want to beat. We still have to play Korea and Sweden so we have to enjoy, but keep calm.”
Irving Lozano scored a brilliant goal against Germany and Mexico could easily have scored a couple more. “What’s most important is how we managed the match,” Lozano said. “My teammates and I did some great work. We all ran our hearts out.”
FRENCH ATTACK FLOPS
Australia entered the World Cup as one of the least-respected sides. And yet France mustered just 12 shots despite starting dynamic offensive talents Ousmane Dembélé and Corentin Tolisso.
Manager Didier Deschamps remains under intense scrutiny for failing to mold a cohesive team with his deep and talented roster.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SPAIN IMPRESSED
But for Ronaldo’s brilliance — and a mind-boggling blunder by goalkeeper David de Gea — Spain would have opened its group play with an impressive victory. This squad looked cohesive despite manager Julen Lopetegui’s abrupt firing on the eve of the tournament.
Next up for Spain is Iran, one of the most disciplined defensive sides in the World Cup field.
“Against Spain, everybody from the goalkeeper to the striker can create things, so we need to think of a different strategy,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
WHAT A MESSI FOR ARGENTINA
Missed penalty kick aside, Messi was predictably a handful for Iceland. He fired 11 shots and created three scoring changes despite from working from the back.
Until Éver Banega entered for the final 36 minutes against Iceland, Argentina enjoyed little offensive flow against defensively solid Iceland. Its back end look vulnerable, even against outmanned Iceland.
So despite its favorable draw, Argentina must improve to escape group play and advance.
