MOSCOW, Russia - Several milestones were reached in the Mexican National Team's 1-0 victory over Germany to open Group F at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
For the first time ever, a CONCACAF nation defeated four-time world champions Germany, breaking a seven-match winless streak (0W-1D-6L) for the region against the European giants.
It also marked the first time that a CONCACAF nation had defeated a reigning World Cup champion (0W-0D-3L).
Previously, Mexico had lost 2-0 to 1958 champions Brazil at Sweden 1962, before falling 6-0 to 1974 champions West Germany at Argentina 1978.
El Salvador also were defeated 2-0 by 1978 champions Argentina at Spain 1982.
For El Tricolor, it was also its second victory over a former world champion, the last coming at South Africa 2010 when it defeated 1998 champions France, 2-0.
Mexico continue to show its prowess in World Cup openers, as it now sits with a 5W-1D-0L record in its last six opening matches at the World Cup. The last defeat for El Tricolor in its first World Cup match was at USA 1994 (1-0 vs. Norway).
On the individual level, a major milestone was met by Rafael Marquez when the Mexico MF entered as a second half substitute.
Marquez has now appeared in five different World Cups, equaling the mark set by Germany's Lothar Mattheus and Mexico's Antonio Carbajal.
Marquez also extended his individual record of most matches ever played by a Mexico international (17), six more than the aforementioned Carbajal, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Gerardo Torrado
