2018 FIFA World Cup: Germany looking to recover from Mexico shock
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In a World Cup which has seen many shocking results so far, one of the biggest remains Germany's 1-0 loss to Mexico in their opening match. That outcome means the 2014 champions can't afford any more setbacks, if they don't want their title defense to come to an early end. And as Dan Williams reports, the team's fans are on edge ahead of tomorrow's game against Sweden.
For the last week, Moscow's Red Square has become a central hub for football fans, and with the opening of a fans football park in the middle of the square, even more supporters are likely to pay a visit over the next few weeks. Mexico caught Germany napping in the opener. But as the majority of Mexican fans celebrate, German supporters are left to examine where it all went wrong, ahead of their second match against Sweden.
"The thing was, first half was really shocking, like they were not motivated. They didn't want to play, as you could see, and I think that maybe we got back on the ground a bit and catch up against Sweden."
DAN WILLIAMS MOSCOW "As fans continue to soak up the sights and sounds of Russia 2018, Germany will be looking to avoid an unwanted record. In recent years, France, Italy, and Spain have all won a World Cup, only to then crash out in the group stage as holders four years later."
It wasn't just the result that shocked German fans. The performance was also uncharacteristically disjointed. A defeat against Sweden would likely see Germany crash out in the group stage for the first time since 1938. But the players are confident they can turn it around.
MARIO GOMEZ GERMANY FORWARD "We certainly had a brutal experience in the first game as we had not imagined, where our weaknesses were, also quite clearly uncovered. And that's what we worked on, we'll work until the game, and then I'm convinced that we'll show a different face."
This fan park in Red Square has only just been opened. The fear for German fans is that they may not have long to enjoy it. Dan Williams, CGTN, Moscow.