Holders start with a stern test​
Mexico hoping to avenge Confederations Cup semi-final defeat.

Much has changed since Germany’s last FIFA World Cup™ appearance. A raft of experienced players retired from the international fold for the four-time champions and the youngster who scored that priceless Maracana winner – Mario Gotze – did not make the final 23 for Russia.

While change has been forthcoming for Germany, two things have remained stable: success and Joachim Low. Die Mannschaft breezed through World Cup qualifying, winning ten out of ten, scoring 43 and conceding just four, and lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup last year with a youthful squad, while Low recently penned a contract until 2020.

On the way to that latter title, Germany saw off Mexico, who have themselves grown under the tutelage of Juan Carlos Osorio, in charge since 2015. The Colombian coach will look to avenge the 4-1 defeat in Sochi last year after steering Mexico comprehensively through World Cup qualifying – they lost just once in 16 games, the sole defeat coming after their passage to Russia had already been confirmed.

Did you know…?

3.5 – Germany have averaged 3.5 goals per match in their opening games of the World Cup since they last lost an opener – 36 years ago against Algeria. It took Mexico 56 years to win a World Cup opener – their victory coming at the ninth attempt on home soil at Mexico 1986.

Possible line-ups
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector; Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos; Thomas Müller, Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler; Timo Werner​

Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa; Carlos Salcedo, Hugo Ayala, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun; Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado; Carlos Vela; Jesus Corona, Javier Hernandez, Hirving Lozano

daveangelo:
gonna be tough

Fkforyou:
Spain my first choice..

Germany my second favourite team.

I hope they make me proud so that I can get over the defeat of Naija.

Pat081:
lol Nigeria ur 3rd team abi

easzypeaszy:
They should just allow my ovr 1.5(HT) come first...bc na 150k i put..to win 300k