World Cup Gamethread: Brazil vs Switzerland. AND: Germany vs Mexico liveblog and highlights

Brazil vs Switzerland (Group E)

This tournament has given us back-to-back-to-back days of Cristiano Ronaldo then Lionel Messi and now Neymar. Brazil will be the favorites in this match, but Switzerland have a shot if they get amazing performances out of their two superstars. Former Bayern Munich man Xherdan Shaqiri will be leading the Switzerland attack, hoping that he can turn in a similar performance that he showed the world in Brazil during 2014.

Still, all eyes will be on Neymar. After having to bow out of the World Cup in his home country due to an injury four years ago, Neymar will be looking to have a stellar performance to show the world that he should be mentioned next to Ronaldo and Messi.

Location: Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

Time: 9:00 pm local time, 2:00 pm EST

TV/Streaming: USA (SiriusXM FC, Sling World Cup, Futbol de Primera Radio, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBCSN, Fox Sports 1, Telemundo), Germany (SRF zwei, ORF eins, Sportschau Live, ORF TV Live, ZDF), Canada (RDS GO, TSN4, CTV GO, TSN GO, TSN Radio 1040 - 1410, TSN5, RDS, CTV), India (SONY TEN 3 HD, SONY TEN 2 HD, Sony LIV, SONY TEN 3, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD, SONY TEN 2)

Full Listings: Your country (via livesoccertv.com)

---

Germany vs Mexico (Group F): Liveblog and Highlights

FULL TIME — Mexico have done it! El Tri hold on to their 1-0 lead and defeat Germany in their World Cup opener. One side is singing “Olé” and the other side is saying, “Oh Scheiße!”

---

92’ — Mario Gomez appeals for a penalty as he goes down easily in the box. None given. Neuer comes up for Germany’s corner kick.

---

90 — Three minutes of stoppage time to go.

---

89’ — Julian Brandt brings some new life into the game. He creates two chances in short succession from the left, taking a spectacular shot himself. It looks like a goal as it leaves his foot, but flies just past the left side of the goal.

---

87’ — Mario Gomez heads the would-be equalizer over the goal.

---

84’ YELLOW CARD — Mats Hummels sees yellow for a late tackle.

---

83’ YELLOW CARD — Thomas Müller sees yellow for a tiny tug on a jersey sold very well.

---

79’ — Get that button ready: Jogi Löw is putting Mario Gomez on for Plattenhardt—presumably playing with just three defenders now in the back.

---

76’ — It looked like a goal. Kimmich passes inside to Kroos, who fires the ball instantly from distance. It was a rocket of a shot, but it flew just outside the right side of the net.

---

73’ SUBSTITUTION — Marquez replaces Guardado as Mexico attempts to shut down the game. Marquez, at 39 years old, has now played in his fifth World Cup! Respekt!

---

70’ — Germany escape another close call. Chicharito breaks away with Mats Hummels behind him. Chicharito hits the ground as Hummels makes contact from behind, but the referee does not deem it worth a penalty despite Mexico’s protest.

---

66’ SUBSTITUTION — Raul Jimenez replaces the goalscorer Lozano.

---

65’ — Joshua Kimmich brings the wow factor: Jerome Boateng lobs a long ball from outside the box to Kimmich. Kimmich attempts a shot with a bicycle kick, but it lands on top of the goal.

---

60’ SUBSTITUTION — Löw at last makes a move: Marco Reus replaces Sami Khedira, as Germany seeks to spark its offense.

---

58’ SUBSTITUTION — Alvarez replaces Vela for Mexico.

---

57’ — Mexico somehow waste a two-on-one against Boateng as they expose Germany’s defense yet again. Vela misplays a pass to Chicharito and Mexico again cannot shoot before Germany’s defense tracks back to stop them.

As Germany counter, Thomas Müller is called offside on a beautiful control and volley shot saved by Ochoa.

---

SECOND HALF — Mexico seem subdued as the second half begins. No changes yet by Jogi Löw.

---

45’ Halftime — The ref blows the halftime whistle. Germany need to be better in the box and little sharper in the midfield. Maybe take out Khedira and Ozil for Goretzka and Reus.

---

39’ — The goal seems to have rattled Germany awake. The Germans now counter and pressure Mexico’s defense, winning a free kick. Toni Kroos fires a rocket torward the upper right corner, but Ochoa extends with both hands and deflects it into the cross bar.

---

35’ MEXICO SCORE — Germany turn the ball over in the midfield and Mexico make a lightning-fast break. Chicharito makes a perfect one-touch give-and-go to pass the ball on to Lozano in Germany’s box. Lozano has the space to turn, evade Germany’s defenders, and fires the ball into the net. 1-0 Mexico.

---

34’ — Vela delivers a perfect throughball between Hummels and Boateng to Layun, but Neuer clears it away.

---

30’ — Marco Reus is already warming up on the sideline. Could Jogi Löw be deliberating an early substitution?

---

28’ — Mexico make a fast break on the left flank after Jerome Boateng slips in the midfield. Mats Hummels summons all his FIFA pace to make a run back into the box just in time to slide in front of a dangerous cross intended for Chicharito.

---

22’ — Germany still struggle to create clear opportunities in the final third. After Julian Draxler dribbles away what looked like an opportunity to open up Mexico’s defense, Toni Kroos tries his luck again from distance. Ochoa easily makes the save.

---

18’ — Germany play with fire yet again: Die Mannschaft fails to contain a Mexico fast break in the midfield, setting Chicharito up in a one on one with Neuer. But miraculously Chicharito somehow fails to shoot, giving Germany the second of time they need to get back and thwart the attack.

---

1’ — Germany start on the he wrong foot as Chicharito opens up Germany’s defense. Vela finds Alonzo, but the shot is blocked in the last second by Jerome Boateng.

---

Germany’s lineup:

---

Spain and Portugal may have stolen the headlines on Friday, but Sunday belongs to Germany and Mexico. Two powerhouse of their respective continents will grace the field in the Luzhniki Stadium with what could very well be a standout match of the opening round.

Germany will be tipped as the favorites, but if Jogi Löw’s side doesn’t come out at full attention, they’ve proven that they are prone to defensive blunders. They’re more talented than Mexico at every position on the field, but that’s never stopped teams at the World Cup.

We took a shot at predicting the Germany lineup here.

Location: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

Time: 6:00 pm local time, 11:00 am EST

TV/Streaming: USA (Fox Sports 1, Futbol de Primera Radio, Telemundo, Sling World Cup, SiriusXM FC, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo), Germany (ORF eins, ZDF, ORF TV Live, SRF zwei, Sportschau Live, WDR Event, Sky Sport UHD Germany, Sky Go Deutschland), Canada (TSN5, CTV, TSN4, RDS, CTV GO, TSN GO, TSN Radio 1040 - 1410, RDS GO), India (SONY TEN 3, Sony ESPN, SONY TEN 2, Sony ESPN HD, SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY TEN 3 HD, Sony LIV)

Full Listings: Your country (via livesoccertv.com)

---

Costa Rica vs Serbia (Group E)

Costa Rica stunned the world with their performance at the World Cup four years ago in Brazil. They beat Uruguay and Italy in the group stage of the tournament before being bounced by Arjen Robben and the Netherlands on penalties in the quarterfinals. If they want to replicate that run four years later Keylor Navas will need to be superhuman.

Serbia is going to try and control the midfield through Nemanja Matic and dominate the match. If Matic can enforce his will on proceedings, Costa Rica will have a difficult time breaking down Serbia and finding their goal.

Location: Cosmos Arena, Samara, Russia

Time: 4:00 pm local time, 8:00 am EST

TV/Streaming: USA (Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX Network, Telemundo, Futbol de Primera Radio, SiriusXM FC, Sling World Cup), Germany (Sportschau Live, ORF TV Live, SRF zwei, ZDF, ORF eins), Canada (TSN3, CTV GO, CTV, TSN4, TSN5, TSN1, TSN Radio 1040 - 1410, TSN GO, RDS, RDS GO), India (SONY TEN 3, Sony LIV, Sony ESPN HD, SONY TEN 3 HD, SONY TEN 2 HD, Sony ESPN, SONY TEN 2)

Full Listings: Your country (via livesoccertv.com)

---

Tips for commenting:

---

1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself. We’re mostly very friendly. Also, we’re from all parts of the world, so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
2. Refresh the page regularly to keep up with the discussion. One refresh every 55-60 seconds is ideal but if that’s too much then just try for one every five minutes and after every goal.
3. The goal celebrations are for everyone to participate in. Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Ready for some sweet, sweet World Cup action? Sign up for an SB Nation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news or something completely different, we have it all.