Germany after losing to Mexico has become the 4th reigning World Champion to lose their first match at the World Cup since 1990.
Germany’s 1-0 loss to Mexico has added them to the list which includes Maradona’s Argentina, France, Italy and Spain.
But do you know the other 3 countries to have suffer the same faith as Germany?
- Argentina 0 vs 1 Cameroon – Italia 1990
On 8 June, 1990 in Italy, Cameroon beat defending champions Argentina by a lone goal. The goal was scored by Oman-Biyik in the 67 minute. The game which was played at San Siro was attended by 73, 780 spectators and Cameroon got 2 red cards in the game. Cameroon toped the group with 4 points, scoring 3 goals and conceding 5.
- France 0 vs 1 Senegal – Korea Japan 2002
On 31 May, 2002, in Korea, World Cup debutants, Senegal, beat defending champions 1-0. Senegal’s Papa Bouba Diop scored in the 30 minute to give his side the win. The match was watched by 62, 561 people at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Senegal came second in the group with 5 points while Denmark topped with 7 points. Senegal was eliminated in the quarter finals by Turkey.
- Spain 1 vs 5 Netherlands – Brazil 2014
Spain and the Netherlands met again in 2014 after both teams played in the 2010 finals in South Africa. The Spanish side went into the game as back to back European Champions and also defending World Champions.
27 minutes into the game, Spain scored the first goal through a penalty after Diego Costa was penalised by Stefan de Vrij. Xabi Alonso scored from the spot kick to get the then World Champions to a flying start. With a minute to the first half, Robben Van Persie scored a breath taking diving header equalise for the Dutch.
The second half was all for Netherlands as they scored 4 more goals to win the game 5-1. With 48, 173 fans at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, the World Champions saw the start to the end of their reign. Arjen Robben and Daley Blind both scored a goal while Van Persie added another in the 77 minute.
Netherlands topped the group with 9 points, followed by Chile with 6 points. The world champions won only a game and existed the tournament with 3 points.
- Germany 0 vs 1 Mexico – Russia 2018
Germany came into the 2018 World Cup in Russia as World and Confederations Champions. With most of their 2014 players in the starting 11, the Germans could not find the back of the net.
Mexico won the game by 1-0 after Lozano scored in the 35 minute. With 78, 011 at the Luzhniki Stadium, the Germans lost to Mexico for the second time.
