Germany 0-1 Mexico: 5 things we learned as champions are shocked

REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Friendlies don’t matter in Germany.

That was the overwhelming response to the criticism of Die Mannschaft’s recent horror-show against Saudi Arabia. Joachim Low’s side struggled to break down Juan Antonio Pizzi’s resolute charges - who were abysmal in the World Cup's opening fixture against Russia -, limping to a desperate 2-1 victory.

The performance was immaterial, said the soothsayers. Germany swing themselves in a competitive mindset when the time comes. Against Mexico on Saturday, however, it looked like they had forgotten to set their watch.

Juan Carlos Osorio’s effervescent side swarmed to a deserved victory, consigning a World Champion to a first opening-game defeat since 1982.

In a match that had jaws slamming the floor, here are five things we learned.