FIFA World Cup: Cup-holders Germany, 5-time champs Brazil to start campaign

Reigning world champion Germany will start their quest to become the first team in 56 years to defend the title when they take on North American side Mexico in a Group F clash on Sunday. The Germany versus Mexico match will be preceded by a face-off between Costa Rica and Serbia in G and will be followed by five-time World Champions Brazil taking on sixth-ranked Switzerland; both Group E encounters.

While the current World Champions are the favourites against the Mexicans, the team from North America has the capacity to upset the European side, especially with the one of the best attacking options at the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup.

With Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio confirming in the pre-match press conference that the North Americans “will go toe-to-toe” against one of the favourites to lift the cup, there is a promise of an exciting contest on cards. “We can compete with them (Germany). I think we have a good chance against the best team in the world and we will always go toe-to-toe,” Osorio said rubbishing claims that his side will look to defend against the Germans than their usual offensive nature of play.

Osorio’s confidence comes from the offensive options at his hands. With Javier Hernandez, Hirving Lozanoin the attack and Hector Herrera and Carlos Vela as the playmakers, the Mexica side looks good on paper when they will take field to avenge their 4-1 defeats at the hands of Germans at the Confederations Cup last year.

With goalkeeper Manuel Neur and defender Jerome Boateng declared fit, the German side’s head-ache at the back looks settled. Their impeccable centre-halves and forwards in Mesul Ozil, Tony Kroos, Thomas Muller, Julian Draxler and Timo Werner
makes them the favourites even though the side have had a topsy-turvey run ever since they won the 2014 edition.

On the previous four occasions when the two teams have met in the World Cup, The Die Mannschaft have emerged victorious against the Mexicans on all counts. In a total of 11 games, Mexico have overcome Germany only once way back in June 1985. The stat that favours the North American side, however, is that they have never lost their opening encounter at the World Cup finals. Germany on the other hand reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last four editions.

Both the teams come off some poor performances, with the Germans narrowly overcoming Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their last friendly match and the Mexicans going down 2-0 against the Moroccans.

Five-time world champions Brazil against sixth-ranked Switzerland

After a humiliating 7-1 defeat against eventual champions Germany, Brazil’s campaign had come to a traumatic end in 2014 when the World Cup was held at their home. Since then, however, Brazilian coach Tite has overturned the side into one of the most formidable sides in the world. In fact, they were the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Up in arms against the Brazilians will be the Swiss side who have lost just one match since 2016 when they lost in the penalty shoot-out to Poland in the round of 16 of the Euro Cup. The Swiss team has had a history of defeating big teams in the opening encounter; they had defeated eventual champions Spain in South Africa in 2010 in their opening clash. Brazilian side on the other hand are unbeaten in their opening World Cup match since 1938.

The Brazilian side boasts of a star-studded line up, with the quartet of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and Willian leading the charge in the front half of the pitch. Thiago Silva and Marcelo guarding the defence-line are equally productive and the centre-half of Casemiro, Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho looks formidable to say the least.

The Swiss team too have some promising names in Rodriguez, Xhaka, Shaqiri but Switzerland is more about a team that knows how to tighten things up for its opposition. If the Brazilian side has got the patience and quality to unnerve the Swiss remains to be seen.

Costa Rica takes on Serbia in Sunday’s opening encounter

Costa Rica, after advancing to the quarter finals of the 2014 edition in Brazil, will look to up their show in 2018. In a group that had England, Italy and Uruguay as other members, Costa Rica got out of one of the toughest group from last season and emerged as one of the top eight teams. Their journey afterwards have not been too great but they can draw inspiration and extract confidence from their impressive show at the highest level in 2014.

Serbia, on the other hand, makes a return to the World Cup after missing out last time around. In 2010, when they had last played the World Cup, the Serbians bowed out of the group stage itself. Placed in arguably an easy group in qualifications, Serbia finished atop of Ireland, Wales and Austria to qualify for the World Cup.

Looking at the recent form; while Costa Rica have been losing their friendlies off late, Serbia demolished Bolivia 5-1 and the Serbians will take the field as a more confident side than their opponents.

FIFA World Cup Day 4 Match Schedule (IST)

Costa Rica vs Serbia 5:30 pm

Germany vs Mexico 8:30 pm

Brazil vs Switzerland 11:30 pm