Mexico fans inspire players to historic win over World Cup holders Germany... and celebrate in style

If ever there was a game in which one team were urged on to victory by their fans, it was this one.

Filling what looked like three-quarters of the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday were Mexico fans, who created such an intimidating atmosphere for World Cup holders Germany that one would question just how much it actually unnerved Joachim Low’s side in their Group F opener.

Indeed, that was the question I put to a Mexican journalist Alan Nuñez before the game after seeing nothing but a sea of green descending onto the Luzhniki Stadium.

Would the thousands of Mexican fans - who easily outnumbered the German supporters on Sunday - increase the pressure on Juan Carlos Osorio’s side to get an unlikely result, or would they relieve it by inspiring the team on?

It transpired to be the latter.

Within minutes of the game starting, it was easy to see that the Mexican fans’ singing, cheering and sheer noise was pushing their team on. The Mexico players fought for every ball, which forced Jerome Boateng into making a first-minute block while Manuel Neuer had to pull out a handful of saves to ensure Germany didn’t concede early on.

The supporters also booed every German touch, which paid off when Mexico launched a swift counter-attack that ended in Hirving Lozano coolly firing past Neuer in the 35th minute.

The goal sent the Mexican fans wild. They jumped up from their seats to celebrate, with many throwing their beers into the air, showering journalists in the nearby press area.

The Germany fans, in contrast, were left stunned by the goal. Standing behind Neuer when the game's only goal went in, they looked on with surprise at the way Mexico were dominating the game in the first half.

What was interesting to see, though, was how the German fans made a lot less noise even after their side upped the tempo following the introductions of Marco Reus and Mario Gomez in the second half.

They could sense an equaliser was there to be scored, but when Mexico’s five-man defence continued to restrict Germany’s forwards to just a few chances in the second period, they knew the day wouldn’t end well.

It did end well, however, for Mexican fans who, at the final whistle, sent more beer flying into the Moscow sky and partied long into the night outside the Luzhniki Stadium and beyond.

If the Mexican fans continue to show such superb support at this World Cup then Osorio’s side will feel they have the 12th man that they need to inspire them to more surprising, but deserved, results.