Day 4 Recaps: Serbs Out-muscle Costa Rica, Mexico Upset Germany, Brazil Held to a Draw

Another three group-stage opening matches were played today, starting with the Costa Rica-Serbia match. Serbia opened up with a chance a minute in when Alexsandar Mitrovic's shot was cleared off the line. Costa Rica responded with two chances both saved by Serb keeper Vladimir Stojkovic: a header by Giancarlo Gozalez and a strike by Marco Urena. In the 51st minute, Mitrovic's strike was saved by Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas. The breakthrough for Serbia came in the 56th minute, when Aleksandar Kolarov's free kick curled over the wall into the near post, beating a diving Navas. Costa Rica had more attackers come in, but nothing worked, and Serbia ended up winning 1-0.

The second game was the ultimate spectacle: Germany's shocking 1-0 loss to Mexico. After an energetic first half, which featured many shots from both teams, Germany fired shot after shot in the 2nd half to tie it. The game winning goal was by Hirving Lozano in the 35th, who beat the German defense before stoppig in the box, dodging German mid Mesut Ozil, and striking the ball past keeper Manuel Neuer for the tally. Before and after the goal, many shots fired by both teams were off target, or straight in the hands of Neuer or Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa. In the 37th, Toni Kroos' free kick was finger-tipped-saved by Ochoa, ultimately missing the net and hitting the crossbar. After halftime, Germany controlled the ball in Mexico's half, with Mexico's few chances coming on counter-attacks. In the 78th minute, Kroos had a shot just wide of the post before a 88th minute attempt hit the side of the post from a Julian Brandt volley. Finally, the whistle blew, and Mexico pulled off the biggest WC 2018 upset... so far.

Brazil looked to kick off its WC 2018 campaign with a win against Switzerland. Things looked good in the 20th minute when Philippe Coutinho's curling blast just outside the box hit the far post and in, beating keeper Yann Sommer to give Brazil a 1-0 lead. Just before the break. Brazil nearly scored again when Thiago Silva's header went just over the crossbar. Switzerland equalized just after halftime in the 50th, when Steven Zuber's header from a corner beat Brazil keeper Alisson. Neymar and Roberto Firmino each had shots later saved by Sommer, but the biggest talk was about the number of fouls Neymar suffered: 10. Just coming off an injury, the Swiss targeted him throughout the game. In the 73rd, Brazil's Gabriel Jesus tried to get Brazil a PK, but to no avail. Switzerland got a major point against their toughest group opponent.

Kolarov's game winning free kick