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#2 Defending Champions facing a first round shock exit
Defending Champions Germany headed into the tournament as one of the favorites along with Spain and Brazil.
Germany had gone on to win the Confederations Cup last year, despite resting most of their first-choice players. The German side showed off a scary strength in depth by going on to win the tournament with plenty of under-23 players.
The German side that looked complete were ruthlessly exposed by a young and pacy Mexican side. The Mexican attack got into the German box numerous times and a better final ball might have seen them widen the scoreline.
The German defense was taken apart by wingers Chucky Lozano and Carlos Vela, and they looked a pale shadow of their true self.
The German performance reminded fans of the shocking Spanish performance in their World Cup opener four years ago. A more clinical Mexican team might have even replicated the same scoreline against the Germans.
The attack look devoid of ideas as it lacked pace and penetration. Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller were virtually nonexistent and it was only once Marco Reus and Julian Brandt were introduced that the German side looked somewhat close its self.
The result also went on to emphasize the mistake manager Joachim Low had made in leaving winger Leroy Sane out of the squad.
Germany lie three points adrift of the top two sides and are now left with a must-win tie against Sweden. A defeat will end their hopes of retaining the trophy and a draw will mean that they will have to depend on other results to go in their favour.
Not what the champions would have expected. They will have to come back a changed side and show their mettle against the young Swedish side.
Failure to top the group could see them face favourites Brazil in just the second round of the competition.
Brazil who suffered a 7-1 humiliation at home at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semifinal four years ago will be licking their lips at the prospect of avenging for the defeat and this is a game that the German side would want to avoid.
