If Mexico wants to change the course of history, Thursday's game will be one massive chance to do so.
El Tri will try to end their hoodoo against German sides when they clash in the semi-final stage of the FIFA Confederations Cup, a tournament Mexico has won before. In order to reach the final, Juan Carlos Osorio's men will have to exorcize their demons when facing Die Mannschaft, a team that has handed the North American champions some heart breaking losses over the years, including 4 defeats in FIFA-sanctioned tournaments.
1978 World Cup: Germany 6-0 Mexico
Labelled as "La Esperanza Verde" (The Hope in Green), Mexico's young team in the 1978 World Cup was expected to make it to the KO stage. Losing all thre games in the Group Stage, including a 6-0 defeat against Germany, saw Mexico finish as the worst team in the tournament, which was eventually won by Argentina.
1986 World Cup: Mexico 0(1) - (4) 0 Germany
Eight years after their first loss, Mexico hoped to redeem themselves against Die Mannschaft in their Quarter final matchup. Mexico came close, but a wrongfully disallowed goal forced both teams to decide the winner via a penalty shootout. Germany didn't miss one shot, while Mexico's players only sent one into the back of the net.
Mexico was forced to play this game in the city of Monterrey rather than hosting it at Estadio Azteca, a decision that some believe to have benefitted the German side due to the city's lower altitude.
1998 World Cup: Germany 2-1 Mexico
Perhaps the most heart-breaking defeat for El Tri against Germany. Manuel Lapuente's men took the lead during the early stages of the second half, but two baffling mistakes by the Mexican defense in the last 5 minutes saw Jürgen Klinsmann & Oliver Bierhoff sealing the deal for Die Mannschaft.
Bierhoff celebrates after sending a stunning header into the back of the net.
2005 FIFA Confederations Cup: Germany 4-3 Mexico
The third-place match between Die Mannschaft & El Tri proved to be one of the best games of the tournament, with plenty of goals to go around. Eventually, the Germans would prevail in a game that needed extra time to see a team walking away with the win.
All in all, Mexico and Germany have played ten games. The European side has emerged victorious four times, with five draws and only one win for Mexico. El Tri's only win came in a friendly match back in 1985. Will Osorio's men add one more victory to their tally, or will history be too much to overcome for the Mexican side?
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