Mexico's triumph over Germany joins list of great World Cup upsets

If someone had told you Germany would be the first European side to lose at the 2018 World Cup, you probably wouldn't be interested in hearing more of their soccer analysis.

However, Mexico clearly wasn't afraid of taking it to the defending champions. El Tri strategically hit Die Mannschaft on the counter repeatedly, and Mexico could have come away from the opening match with a bigger victory than a narrow 1-0 win had it been more efficient with its chances.

The loss makes Joachim Low's side the third returning World Cup champion to lose its opening match at the tournament since 2002. Germany joins this list of heavyweights across history that suffered massive World Cup upsets to relative footballing minnows.

1950: United States def. England 1-0

Despite being credited with the invention of football, England chose not to appear at the first three World Cups due to a disagreement with FIFA over amateur player payments. The country finally agreed to take part in 1950 in Brazil, and after defeating Chile 2-0 in its first match, England headed into a tilt with the United States expecting to make it 2-for-2. Instead, Haitian-born forward Joe Gaetjens' 38th-minute goal earned one of the country's greatest wins ever for a side composed predominantly of part-time players. It was the Americans' only victory at the tournament, though, and they didn't qualify for the competition again for 40 years.

1950: Uruguay def. Brazil 2-1

Brazil was hosting the tournament for the first time, and the country's confidence was at an all-time high after routing Spain and Sweden in an unorthodox final round. That set up a thrilling finale against Uruguay at the Maracana in which the Brazilians only needed to avoid defeat. Alcides Ghiggia, however, sent an entire nation into mourning in the 79th minute when his low drive beat Moacir Barbosa at the near post, giving Uruguay a 2-1 lead and, eventually, its second World Cup title. What became known as the "Maracanazo" so devastated Brazilians that a fan contest was launched three years later to determine a new kit for the national side, leading to the creation of its now-traditional yellow-and-green look.

1954: West Germany def. Hungary 3-2

In the early 20th century, Hungary was a consistent footballing force, and the quality of the team reached its apex in the 1950s. Known simply as the "Golden Team," the Magyars were led by revolutionary tactician Gusztav Sebes and boasted a forward line spearheaded by the great Ferenc Puskas. Hungary routed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage in 1954, and when the countries were matched up again in the final, it was a heavy favourite. But in what became known as the "Miracle of Bern," West Germany shocked Hungary 3-2, winning its first of four World Cups, while the Hungarians would slowly fade into footballing obscurity.

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1966: North Korea def. Italy 1-0

Down to the final match in Group 4 of the 1966 World Cup, Italy was expected to outclass the relatively unknown North Koreans and join the Soviet Union in the quarter-finals. But after Pak Doo Ik's fierce half-volley gave the Asian side the lead in the 42nd minute, the Italians failed to muster a response and were bounced in the group stage. North Korea nearly pulled off another shocking upset in the quarter-final against Portugal, climbing out to a 3-0 lead after just 25 minutes before Eusebio authored a legendary comeback to help Portugal win 5-3.

2002: Senegal def. France 1-0

Senegal announced its debut on the world's biggest stage in perhaps the most dramatic fashion possible, knocking off reigning world and European champion France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal in the contest, a 6-yard tap-in from his backside, before orchestrating one of the best corner-flag celebrations of all time. Senegal reached the quarter-final, where it fell to Turkey, while France crashed out of the group stage in last place after failing to score a single goal.

2002: United States def. Portugal 3-2

Portugal fans spent years clamouring for the country's heralded golden generation - the youth side led by Luis Figo, Rui Costa, and Joao Pinto that won Portugal's second consecutive U-20 World Cup in 1991 - to make the jump to the senior level. Portugal missed out in 1994 and 1998, but its new stars finally qualified for the 2002 World Cup, and were expected to run away with a group that included Poland, co-host South Korea, and the U.S. Those lofty expectations came crashing down in the group's first match, though, as the Americans built a shocking first-half 3-0 lead on the way to a 3-2 victory. Portugal failed to survive the group, while the U.S. went out in the quarter-finals.

2002: South Korea def. Italy 2-1

Italy fans haven't forgotten their team's 2-1 loss to South Korea in 2002, which stands as one of the most contentious upsets in World Cup history. After an 88th-minute equaliser from the Koreans propelled the game into extra time (with the golden-goal rule in effect), everything hit the fan. Already on a yellow card, Francesco Totti was sent off after Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno (incorrectly) ruled he dove to try to earn a penalty. Then, in the second half of extra time, Italy appeared to have won when Damiano Tommasi scored, only to have it (incorrectly) pulled back for offside. Minutes later, Ahn Jung-hwan headed in the golden goal past a sprawling Gianluigi Buffon, and Italy's World Cup run was over. South Korea eventually made it all the way to the semi-final, where it was eliminated by Germany.

2010: Switzerland def. Spain 1-0

Fresh off a second conquest at the European Championships in 2008, Spain's subsequent World Cup dream took an immediate hit when it was thwarted by tiny Switzerland 1-0 in the first game. What could've been a disaster amounted to nothing more than a hiccup; Spain still topped the group and went on to win its first World Cup, while Switzerland was quickly eliminated after finishing third.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)