The draw was kind to Germany, which aims to become the first back-to-back world champion since Brazil in 1962. Die Mannschaft’s first opponent is Mexico, which fell, 4-1, to a German B team at the2017 Confederations Cup and has beaten Germany only once in 11 encounters — a 2-0 friendly win in Azteca Stadium in 1985. Yet Mexico is likely Germany’s toughest first-round opponent in a group withSouth Korea and Sweden, one of Europe’s weaker entrants.
Defending World Cup winners have not fared well in recently — with 2010 winner Spain and 2006 winner Italy failing reach the second roundin their title-defense attempts. Germany has played dismally in pre-tournament friendlies — a 2-1 loss to Austria and a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, thanks to an own goal. The win against the Saudis –a 5-0 losers to Russia in its World Cup opener — was Coach Joachim Loew‘s only victory in its last six games.
Prediction
But Germany, a record eight-time World Cup finalist, is known to find its groove at big tournaments. One of the most talent-deficient squads it evertook to a World Cup, Coach Rudi Voeller‘s 2002 team, finished runner-up — and Loew has a far more impressive roster. It includes Thomas Mueller, who at age 28already has 10 World Cup goals to his name, the excellent midfield passer Mesut Ozil, and a world-class central defense duo of Mats Hummels and JeromeBoateng. Outside back Joshua Kimmich, 23, has already established himself as a capable replacement Philipp Lahm, who retired after the 2014 World Cup, andJonas Hector give the Germans two attack-minded defenders on the flanks.
Mexico is aiming to overcome the curse of losing in the round of 16 in six straight World Cups, thebreaking of which likely depends on a productive outing in the opener against Germany, because the second-place team in this group is apt to face Brazil. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio‘scritics crow about his constantly changing lineups, but he claims it’s an attribute to deal with different kinds of opponents. But most important for El Tri is the sharpness of its strikers, such asJavier “Chicharito” Hernandez, because El Tri has an propensity to outplay opponents without reward because of poor finishing, such as in a 1-0 loss to Croatia and a scoreless tiewith Wales in pre-tournament friendlies. Even in a 2-0 loss to Denmark, El Tri had more possession but nothing to show for 13 shots.
South Korea’s main man is Son Heung-min,who has 20 goals in 63 appearances for South Korea and scored 18 goals in all competitions — including four in the UEFA Champions League — for Tottenham Hotspur last season. EmilForsberg of RB Leipzig does the playmaking for Sweden. But neither team has the depth to make it out of this group.
Our Picks: 1.Germany. 2. Mexico. 3. Sweden. 4. South Korea
Group F Schedule
June 17 Germany vs. Mexico, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow(11 am ET, FS1, Telemundo)
June 18 Sweden vs. South Korea, Nizhny Novgorod (8 am ET, FS1, Telemundo)
June 23 South Korea vs. Mexico, Rostov (11am ET, Fox, Telemundo)
June 23 Germany vs. Sweden, Sochi (2 pm ET, Fox, Telemundo)
June 27 South Korea vs. Germany, Kazan (10 am ET, *FS1, Universo)
June 27 Mexico vs. Sweden, Ekaterinburg (10 am ET, *Fox, Telemundo)
* Network assignment subject to change.
WorldCup:
The Entertainers
Germany left its most dazzling player, 22-year-oldManchester City winner Leroy Sane, at home because he had yet to impress Coach Loew while wearing a Germany jersey. Ozil may have his detractors because he doesn’t race around like aworkhorse, but he remains Germany’s most clever distributor, in addition to some brilliant goals among the 23 he’s scored in 90 appearances. Marco Reus, who missed the last World Cupbecause of injury, and Julian Draxler are the most likely Germans to appear on highlight reels for their dribbling skills. We’ll see if Carlos Vela, who declined toplay for Mexico at the last World Cup, can curl the ball into the net with his left foot as he does so well for LAFC. Jesus Corona’s dribbling can leave defenders dizzy andMarco Fabian has a good history of golazos.
Breakout Players
Timo Werner, age 22, is the highestscoring German in the Bundesliga over the last two seasons — and Germany needs a sharp forward. Also 22, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, upon leaving Pachuca for theNetherlands, scored 17 goals and assisted on 11 while helping PSV win the Eredivise title.
U.S. Connection
Mexico coach JuanCarlos Osorio began his coaching career in the USA after moving from his native Colombia to attend college and playing at Southern Connecticut State. He coached MLS’s Chicago Fire and NewYork Red Bulls, which he led to MLS Cup 2008. Osorio’s World Cup roster includes three MLS players: brothers Jonathan and Gio dos Santos of the Los Angeles Galaxy andLAFC’s Carlos Vela. Seattle Sounders’ defensive midfielder Gustav Svensson is in the Sweden squad.
Trivia
Mexico, along with Germany and Brazil, is one of only three teams that has reached the second round of each of the last six World Cups.