#FT: Mexico 2-2 Germany
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
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Mexico
Guillermo Ochoa, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Jesús Gallardo, Jorge Sánchez, Érick Sánchez (Francisco Córdova), Luis Romo (Luis Chávez), Edson Álvarez, Santiago Giménez (Henry Martín), Hirving Lozano (César Huerta), Uriel Antuna (Orbelín Pineda).
Subs: Raúl Jiménez, Gerardo Arteaga, Kevin Álvarez, Jordi Cortizo, Antonio Rodríguez, Luis Malagón, Marcel Ruiz, Ramón Juarez, Julio González.
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Germany
Marc-André ter Stegen, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Robin Gosens (David Raum), Niklas Süle (Malick Thiaw), Jamal Musiala (Kevin Behrens), Ilkay Gündogan, Pascal Groß (Leon Goretzka), Thomas Müller (Niclas Füllkrug), Florian Wirtz (Jonas Hofmann), Leroy Sané.
Subs: Kevin Trapp, Robert Andrich, Bernd Leno, Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt, Oliver Baumann, Chris Führich, Kai Havertz.
MATCH EVENTS | via ESPN
25’ Goal! Mexico 0, Germany 1. Antonio Rüdiger (Germany) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Robin Gosens with a headed pass following a corner.
37’ Goal! Mexico 1, Germany 1. Uriel Antuna (Mexico) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Hirving Lozano.
45’ Substitution, Germany. Leon Goretzka replaces Pascal Groß.
45’ Substitution, Germany. Niclas Füllkrug replaces Thomas Müller.
47’ Goal! Mexico 2, Germany 1. Érick Sánchez (Mexico) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Uriel Antuna with a cross.
51’ Goal! Mexico 2, Germany 2. Niclas Füllkrug (Germany) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
59’ Edson Álvarez (Mexico) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
59’ Substitution, Germany. Malick Thiaw replaces Niklas Süle.
61’ Substitution, Mexico. Luis Chávez replaces Luis Romo.
61’ Substitution, Mexico. Sebastián Córdova replaces Érick Sánchez.
64’ Robin Gosens (Germany) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
65’ Substitution, Germany. David Raum replaces Robin Gosens.
65’ Substitution, Germany. Jonas Hofmann replaces Florian Wirtz.
77’ Substitution, Mexico. Henry Martín replaces Santiago Giménez.
81’ Substitution, Mexico. César Huerta replaces Hirving Lozano.
82’ Substitution, Mexico. Orbelín Pineda replaces Uriel Antuna.
87’ Substitution, Germany. Kevin Behrens replaces Jamal Musiala.
Germany are playing better than during the late-stage Flick era. They have an improved structure and a better idea of how to move forward and create chances. Füllkrug provides a good focal point.
However, it’s not like their problems disappeared over night. Germany still have trouble fielding good fullbacks and their centerbacks are on the slower side. Moreover, there is still an imbalance on the holding midfielder position. Gündogan is a great passer and a creative player but he provides little defensive support for a shaky backline. If opponents can play through the German midfield and manage to have players run at the German defense with pace and determination then Germany are still in trouble. Pulisic showed that against them and Mexico exposed the Germans on several occasions today. Basically, if you manage to put pressure on the Germans they will crack.