48’: Prophetic Words

A reminder that Juan Carlos Osorio told everyone straight out yesterday that Mexico was coming to play, Germans or no Germans. “We will not change the way we play. We have our style in the Mexican national team, and we’re going to match up with their game.”

46’: Can Germany Equalize?

Back under way at the Luzhniki. Mexico now probing Germany at the other end of the field. But the half starts with far less urgency than the match did.

Halftime: Mexico Leads, 1-0

Chucky Lozano’s first-half goal — the product of some hard work, and perhaps an inevitable mistake by a German right back who likes to wander upfield, has Mexico in front of Germany, 1-0, in Moscow.

That was a drag-race of a half by Mexico, which ran at the Germans at every opportunity, and got some good chances out of it. But the Germans hit the bar, and they’ve been in tough spots before, so let’s not pretend this is anyplace close to over.

Rory Smith: There was definitely an element of that Mexican-ness that was confusing the Germans in the first half. They’ll have played against teams who sit and counter before, and probably teams who sit and counter this well. But the Mexican movement is quite unusual — the attacks aren’t following the patterns you expect. They’re also doing everything at INSANE speed, aren’t they?

45’: Germany Needs a Rest

One minute of added time. I think everyone needs a break anyway. Frantic, hard-charging half by Mexico. Their pace is really putting the Germans under uncommon pressure.

43’: Mexico in Full Sprint Mode

Every Mexican rush sounds like that sound you hear as a jet takes off. They comes upfield sprinting like they’re about to take off, too. The fans’ expectation is contagious. You’re almost disappointed when nothing happens.