Mexico’s Hirving Lozano became an overnight national hero as he scored the goal to send Germany crashing to their first defeat in an opening World Cup game since 1982.
In a rocking Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Mexico went at the reigning world champions from the very first minute and deserved every bit of this win.
Defeat for the Germans, looking to become the first country to defend the title since 1962, also means they could now finish second in their group and face Brazil in the next round.
Hirving Lozano of Mexico scores the opening goal in the 35th minute of the Group F clash against Germany on Sunday
Lozano finished off an excellent move on the break with a composed finish past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
Neuer (right) fails to stop the shot from Lozano in the first half of the match and the strike proved to be the winner on Sunday
Lozano celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal of the match against World Cup holders Germany at the Luzhniki Stadium
Lozano celebrates with his Mexico team-mates after breaking the deadlock in the first half of the World Cup Group F match
Javier Hernandez (right), who provided the assist for Lozano’s goal, celebrates with his team-mates on the substitutes bench
Some Mexico players were in tears on the pitch after an heroic performance cheered on by the vast majority of the crowd on a humid night of amazing football.
It was all go from the very first minute when former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela set up Lozano with an early chance.
And panic followed in the German box when the corner came in and keeper Manuel Neuer desperately smothered the ball amid a goalmouth scramble.
Germany’s Toni Kroos came close with a free-kick after they went behind but Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa saved it on to the bar
Full back Joshua Kimmich almost scored an equaliser for Germany in the second half with overhead kick but it went over bar
Substitutes Mario Gomez and Julian Brandt (pictured) almost levelled late on in the game but their efforts did not hit target
The crackling atmosphere brought out the best in both teams and moments later Germany had their first sight on goal with lone striker Timo Werner flashing one past a post.
Mats Hummels had an effort saved soon after and there was not a second for players or supporters to catch a breath.
Mexico then enjoyed a spell of dominance as Germany looked uncharacteristically shaky in the heart of midfield and the back.
For a side that had not lost any World Cup game since 2010 it made for strange watching and the German fans were stunned into silence.
Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio had decided the best form of defence was attack to the extent he even left three forwards on the halfway line when defending corners.
Mexico’s Lozano has his shot blocked by Germany defender Jerome Boateng during the early stages of the encounter
Mexico’s defender Hugo Ayala (centre) challenges for the ball in the air from the resulting corner kick in the first half
Germany goalkeeper Neuer gathers the ball from the corner kick during the Group F clash at the Luzhniki Stadium
Mexico’s Ochoa dives as Germany’s Timo Werner fires a shot across the goal in the first half but it went wide of the post
But it was end to end football, as if these were the closing stages of a match both sides had to win to go through rather than an opening group game. Great stuff.
Mexico had 13 shots in the first half hour and it was with No 14 they took a deserved 35th minute lead.
Germany’s defensive high-line was breached yet again as Hummels was turned inside out by a midfield one-two and when Lozano gained possession wide in the box before checking inside to drive in low and hard.
Germany’s Sami Khedira (left) and Mexico’s Hector Herrera challenge for the ball during the first half of the Group F fixture
Carlos Salcedo of Mexico and Julian Draxler of Germany in action on Sunday evening at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia
The goal sparked a brief German response in which Toni Kroos crashed a free-kick against the bar after a crucial finger tip save from Guillermo Ochoa.
But the first half was played out to cries of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole’ from the Mexican fans as Joachim Low pondered how to get his men back into the match.
Mexico, understandably, struggled to maintain their momentum after the break but still looked the more likely to score.
Germany retained their belief, though and their class was never far from the surface as Josh Kimmich showed with an overhead effort inches over the bar from a Jerome Boateng cross.
Mexico supporters during the World Cup Group F clash against Germany on Sunday evening at the Luzhniki Stadium
Mexico used all of their subs to slow down the game and to give some very tired players a well earned rest.
Germany then lay siege on the Mexico goal leaving them vulnerable to a counter attack and impressive Sevilla star Miguel Layun nearly got on the scoresheet twice.
What a World Cup this is turning out to be with Russia scoring five, Iceland holding Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick for Portugal against Spain.
Jesus Gallardo of Mexico (right) and Thomas Muller of Germany in action during the group match on Sunday evening in Russia
Werner and Marco Reus of Germany react during their side’s defeat by Mexico in their opening World Cup match on Sunday
England have not even kicked a ball yet, but they have some tough acts to follow.
The pathetic sight of Thomas Muller desperately pleading with Iranian referee Alireza Faghani not to book him for shirt pulling summed up their night.
Substitute Julian Brandt nearly stole a late equaliser with a hammer blow that clipped a post from distance, but how unfair that would have been.
Humbled, humiliated and horrified.
Juan Carlos Osorio’s side threatened the World Cup holders on the counter attack throughout game and managed to hold on
Germany’s Muller and Kimmich challenge for the ball with Mexico’s Hector Moreno during the Group F encounter
Mesut Ozil of Germany looks dejected during 1-0 defeat by Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday evening in World Cup
Hernandez of Mexico reacts after winning the Group F clash against Germany in their opening World Cup game in Russia