There are three very intriguing matches on the docket in Russia today, including a pair of CONCACAF sides in action.
Opening the day is Costa Rica, who are looking to repeat their form from four years ago, when they were a penalty shootout away from making the semi-finals. They take on Serbia, who are returning to the World Cup after failing to get there in 2014.
The highlight match of the day features Germany, the defending champions go up against a feisty Mexican side that is known for playing well against top-level sides. Joachim Low’s side will have a tricky test about them as they look to get their title defense off to a solid start.
A real treat is there for the end of the day, as well. Brazil always put on a show and they face an interesting Switzerland side. Neymar and his crew have plenty of pressure on them as they look to avenge their misery from four years ago.
The SBI editorial staff will be on hand all day long providing live commentary of the matches. Feel free to jump in the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Renato Augusto looks ready to come on for Brazil as their second sub. 64′
Casemiro’s day is done. He comes off for Fernandinho. 59′
Neymar dances his way into the box and wins a corner. Comes up limping though. 57′
Behrami is hobbling off now after overextending his leg for a loose ball. 54′
Zuber with the slightest of pushes on Miranda to get free but not enough for a foul. Good response by Swiss.
Steven Zuber heads past Alisson and the Swiss are level. 1-1 50′
A yellow card for Casemiro after he looked to have caught Dzemaili with his cleat. 47′
Second half is underway from Rostov. 45′
HT: Brazil 1 – Switzerland 0. Coutinho with the opener as Brazil lead at the half. Switzerland need more looks at goal but definitely working hard to get back into this match. More to come.
Thiago Silva with a good header towards goal but just over the bar. 46′
Switzerland are fighting themselves back into the match but just need a clear look at goal. 46′
Lichtsteiner is the first man booked for either team. 32′
Good work by Dzemaili to win a corner off of Miranda. 25′
If Brazil keep playing the ball around like this, Switzerland will have a tough time getting any chances on goal. 24′
What a strike by Philippe Coutinho and it goes off the post and in! Brazil lead 1-0. Coutinho’s first career WC goal. 20′
Jesus gets on a loose ball and fires a cross across goal by Sommer gathers. 17′
Yann Sommer actually got a finger to Paulinho’s earlier attempt. Gladbach man gonna be huge for Swiss to advance. 14′
Gabriel Jesus’ cross is too far for Willian to get onto. GK Swiss. 13′
Paulinho’s close range hit cannot find the net, trickled just by the right post. 11′
Brazil’s midfield will definitely be key today for the amount of work they put in. 10′
Dzemaili cannot get his leg around the cross and misses. 3′
We’re underway from Rostov as Brazil faces Switzerland in the final match of the day. 1′
FINAL: Mexico pulls off the big upset, topping Germany, 1-0, on Lozano’s goal. Fantastic performance from El Tri and credit to Juan Carlos Osorio for a perfect tactical performance against the world champions.
Finally a game where the attacking team won
Great result for Concacaf. All teams had a terrible draw. Now Mexico has a chance to avoid a 5th game against Brazil. Now Germany is fighting for second in group to face Brazil
yes!!! they won!!!
90th minute- Three minutes of stoppage time and Mexico still leads 1-0.
87th minute Mexico still leading 1-0
Rafa Marquez came in for Andres Guardado, marking his fifth World Cup played in. The seecond oldest player in this World Cup, Marquez has a BIG job closing this out.
Raul Jimenez replaced Chucky Lozano while Germany brought in Marco Reus for Sami Khedira. Still 1-0 Mexico, 72nd minute.
Mexico with a GOLDEN chance on the counter, with Chicharito and Vela breaking behind the Germany defense, but they couldn’t get their spacing right and waste the chance.
Mexico started the second half well, with some spells of possession. No sense of urgency from Germany yet. 1-0 Mexico, 56th minute.
HALFTIME- Mexico 1, Germany 0. DREAM first half for El Tri, with Lozano’s goal the difference. Mexico was the better side, created tons of chances, and go into the break extremely confident.
SAVE OCHOA!! Huge stop to deny a Toni Kroos free kick that was headed for the top corner. 40th minute. 1-0 Mexico
GOAL MEXICO!! Chucky Lozano with the finish, as a super-fast Mexico counter capitalizes on a Germany turnover and Lozano beats Neuer. 1-0 Mexico.
Mexico needs to capitalize on these counterattack chances. Final pass/shot has been lacking, but the chances are coming.
Layun is sooo bad. At least he looks cool setting up his free kick like Ronaldo. Lolz
Mexico has been dangerous on the counter, while Germany is finding success working the right wing, where Lozano’s lack of help for Gallardo is leaving them a bit exposed on that side of the field.
omg the mexico – germany game is OFF THE CHAIN!
i am totally rooting for mexico. go mexico!
Germany-Mexico is off to a flying start, with Mexico creating the more dangerous chances early on. 0-0, 20th minute.
FINAL- Serbia 1, Costa Rica 0. The Ticos were never really in this one as the Serbia earns the deserved victory. Costa Rica is in a world of hurt now, with a match against Brazil to close out the group. Even a win against Switzerland in their next match won’t do much for the Ticos if they can’t get a result against Neymar and Co.
Ives Galarcep! Willis Reed eat your heart out! Seriously good to see you….
85th minute, still 1-0 Serbia. Costa Rica starting to press the issue, but still not creating much of a threat.
Serbia with another dangerous build-up, but Navas gets a fingertip to a dangerous cross, enough to keep it from being converted into Serbia’s second goal. Ticos don’t look like an equalizer is coming, Serbia looks closer to finding a second.
GOAL Serbia! Aleksandar Kolarov with a PERFECT left-footed free kick, beating Navas and giving Serbia the 1-0 lead, 57th minute.
SAVE NAVAS! The Costa Rican star denies Mitrovic to keep the score 0-0 in the 50th minute. Best chance of the match so far.
HALFTIME- Serbia 0, Costa Rica 0. The Serbians had the significant edge in possession, but offered few truly dangerous threats in the first half. Costa Rica’s defense has stood up well, though you wonder if the Ticos can keep this up for 90 minutes.
Costa Rica’s bend-but-don’t-break approach has held up, and Serbia is looking a bit frustrated with its inability to find a a breakthrough.
Marco Urena with a good look from the top of the box, but the LAFC man skies the attempt. 39th minute
Serbia has controlled the play through 38 minutes, but has yet to break through on Costa Rica’s defense. Keylor Navas has handled the few threats that have reached him. 0-0, 39th minute.