German media sound alarm after shock defeat

Berlin - Germany's media reacted with concern and worry to the World Cup holder's shock 1-0 defeat against Mexico on Sunday.

Hirving Lozano hit the winning goal after 35 minutes in Moscow when the German defence was caught napping.

This was the first time Germany have lost an opening game at a World Cup finals since going down 2-1 to Algeria when Spain hosted the 1982 tournament.

Top-selling German daily Bild declared on their website: "Embarrassing performance against Mexico: this crash causes us World Cup worry".

Munich-based newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung agreed with "There are reasons to worry" over a picture of the dejected German team, who need to beat Sweden and South Korea to be sure of going through.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper went for "Fiesta Mexicana: False start for Germany".

Magazine Sports Bild commented "There were no world champions to be seen on the pitch" in a damning verdict on the below-par performance.