Mexico conjured up the first big shock of the 2018 World Cup when they defeated defending champions Germany 1-0 on Sunday.

The script did not go as planned for the holders as Mexico's young star Hirving Lozano wrote his name into Mexican soccer lore at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, scoring a goal in the 35th minute that would prove enough.

Lozano was asked to put the win in perspective and he was quick to speak of its significance.

"I don't know if it is the biggest victory in history (of Mexican soccer) but it is one of the biggest for sure," he said.

"It's great to start on the right foot when you are playing against the reigning world champions. It is a great result and shows our hard work."

A day earlier, Mexico's Colombian manager Juan Carlos Osorio said he had drummed into his charges that they were not to be overawed by their highly-touted opponents, and with this win, they demonstrated they clearly were not.

"The phrase today was to play for the love of winning not for the fear of losing. That's exactly what they did...Mexico showed that we have a bright future I am very satisfied with what we did," the man known as The Professor said.

"To see Jesus Gallardo at 23 and Hirving Lozano even younger, that's the future of Mexican football. This is a great game we are going to celebrate, responsibly, and then continue preparing for the next match."

While not in the vain of Spain's 5-1 thrashing at Dutch hands as defending champions in 2014, the loss has set Group F alive, perhaps even opening the door for Sweden or South Korea. It was only Germany's second loss in 19 World Cup openers.

PSV Eindhoven's Lozano sent the majority Mexican crowd of 78,011 into raptures when he finished superbly after being put into space by Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez was released himself after a German attack was broken up, and he put the ball wide left to Lozano who cut inside past Mesut Ozil and swung hard with his right foot, giving the Mexicans a lead they thoroughly deserved.

Germany almost hit back immediately, however, when a Toni Kroos free kick was deflected onto the crossbar by Mexican goalie Guillermo Ochoa. The ball was cleared and soon after Mexico's Carlos Vela had another shot when he was given time on the edge of the box, but he pushed it wide.

The goal was the culmination of an excellent first 45 minutes for Mexico where they gave as good as they got.

The CONCACAF squad, which has reached the round of 16 but no further at each of the past six World Cups, finished the first period with four shots on target to Germany's five.

The North Americans were happy to sit back in numbers, absorbing Germany's forays and hitting them on the break, a tactic Osorio said a day earlier they would avoid if possible.

Germany were always going to be heard from, however, and after an even start to the second half with Mexico again threatening on the break, the four-time world champions turned the screws with an extended period of pressure.

But it was all for naught as they failed to find a final touch that would give them the equalizer. In reality, it was the Mexicans who had the better chances, Miguel Layun the best, but he fired left while clear after yet another break.

But it did not matter, as Mexico had already done enough to put their stamp on the World Cup in Russia, leaving German coach Joachim Low a big job ahead.