Germany lost the opening game in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982. There was a self-critical reaction after the final whistle. Germany coach Joachim Löw said: "We are obviously disappointed that we lost. It's an unfamiliar situation for us. We didn't play well in the first half and allowed too many counter-attacks. It was better in the second half but we didn't produce the passing game we're known for. We weren't clinical and decisive enough in finishing, too half-hearted going forwards and we gave away the ball too often. We need to show a response in the next game."
Toni Kroos came to the following conclusion. "In the first half we didn't find a way of getting round the Mexicans who were well organised. We did better in the second half and we had the chance to equalise." Mats Hummels said: "We played like we did against Saudi Arabia but against a better team. Mexico deserved to win, partly because we made it too easy for them."
The match winner for Mexico, with two former Bayer 04 players in the starting eleven in Andrès Guardado and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, was Lozano who netted the decider on 35 minutes after good work by Chicharito. Kroos almost equalised on 39 minutes when he hit the bar from a free kick. 'El Tri' also had good opportunities to extend their lead.
Julian Brandt came on in the closing stages to make his seventeenth international appearance and he was unlucky with a volley from distance as his effort hit the outside of the post. "Of course, we're under pressure and we have to try and get six points from the last two games," said Kroos. Germany's next opponents on Saturday (20.00 CET) are Sweden in Sotchi.
In contrast, Tin Jedvaj got off to a winning start with Croatia. The Werkself defender remained on the bench in the 2-0 victory for Croatia against Nigeria.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given U17 player Francis Onyeka a long-term contact. The club has agreed a deal with the 16-year-old to 30 June 2027.
Show more#B04eSports team suffered the first defeat of the season on matchday five in the VBL Club Championship 2023/24. Last night’s other games ended in a win and a draw. The Black and Reds are now fifth in the North West division.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen back continuity at the top of the club. The Bundesliga and Europa League participants have extended the contract with sporting managing director Simon Rolfes to 2028. The former midfielder and long-standing Werkself captain took over this position as the successor to Rudi Völler in the summer of 2022. He was previously the sporting director at Bayer 04 for three and a half years.
Show moreThe fans have decided: The goal scored by Florian Wirtz to make it 1-0 for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 2-1 home win against SC Freiburg was voted Goal of the Month for October with 45 % of the votes cast. The 20-year-old Werkself player won the vote conducted by ARD-Sportschau by a clear margin ahead of second-placed Harry Kane (Bayern Munich).
Show moreBK Häcken have yet to gain a point in Group H. The club from Gothenburg entertain the Werkself on Thursday 30 November (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Häcken will be looking to improve their record in the last European home game of the year against the group leaders.
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