Sunday June 17th

Group E

Serbia on target

Serbia 1 Costa Rica 0 (Samara)
A single goal gave Serbia a winning start as they defeated Costa Rica in Samara. A Gonzalez free header for Costa Rica flew over the bar in the 12th minute and 5 minutes into the second half Mitrovic was through on goal but couldn't knock the ball past Navas. Six minutes later Navas was beaten when Serbia's skipper, Aleksandar Kolarov, struck a peach of a free kick beyond his reach. In the 76th minute Kostic miscued a low cross in front of goal but one goal was enough to give Serbia the points.

Group F

Mexico champion beaters

Mexico 1 Germany 0 (Moscow)

Defending champions Germany began their World Cup campaign with a defeat to Mexico in Moscow. The Mexicans started the match on the front foot and within minutes the German defence had to make a crucial block to intercept a shot in the box. Neuer had to get down to stop a shot in the 10th minute and a header 4 minutes later. In the 35th minute Mexico broke through with Hernandez feeding Lozano who cut back inside and beat Neuer at the near post. Three minutes later, a free-kick from Kroos was tipped onto the bar. In the 2nd half the Germans push forward while the Mexicans were wasteful on the counter. In the 89th minute a desperate shot from Brandt struck the outside of the upright and Mexico held on to secure a famous victory over the Germans.

Group E

Zuber Swiss draw with Brazil

Brazil 1 Switzerland 1 (Rostov on Don)

Out to put the ghost of 2014 to rest, Brazil found Switzerland a hard nut to crack. In the 11th minute the ball reached Paulinho who scuffed his shot in front of goal but in the 20th minute Philippe Coutinho curled the ball brilliantly into the far top corner off the post to give Brazil the lead. In the 50th minute a corner-kick was delivered onto the head of Steven Zuber in front of goal and the Swiss were level. A powerful header from Neymar in the 88th minute was straight at Sommer who had to dive to his right 2 minutes later to keep out a header from Firmino, while a snapshot from Miranda in stoppage time bounced past the post as Switzerland held on to claim a 1-1 draw with Brazil.