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Newspaper's front page joke backfires after famous World Cup upset

A German newspaper has been left reeling in the wake of Mexico’s stunning upset victory over the reigning World Cup champions.

Clearly confident heading into the Group F clash on Sunday night (AEST), the newspaper Welt am Sonntag published a front page story they’ll be regretting for years.

The publication decided to play on the Donald Trump ‘border wall’ fiasco, by reminding the Mexicans of their not-so-friendly neighbours to the north, and also the superior defensive abilities of the world class German side.

Alongside an image of superstar keeper Manuel Neuer standing next to a walled goal mouth, the front page carried the headline, “Sorry, Mexico. Today WE build the wall.”

It backfired spectacularly.

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Thomas Muller and other German stars were incredibly frustrated by Mexico. Pic: Getty
Thomas Muller and other German stars were incredibly frustrated by Mexico. Pic: Getty

Late in the first half, the German wall had been broken, by flying winger Hirving Lozano.

It was a lead Mexico would not relinquish against the 2014 champions.

Fans unsurprisingly took to Twitter to throw egg on the faces of the newspaper.

While the fallout was embarrassing in Germany, the reaction was seismic in Mexico, as crazed fans caused an earthquake celebrating the historic win, according to officials in the Central American country.

According to the Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas and Atmosfericas’ seismic monitoring network, a spike in activity was recorded after Lozano struck against the world champions.

Jubilant Mexico fans celebrate Lozano’s match-winning goal against Germany. Pic: Getty
Jubilant Mexico fans celebrate Lozano’s match-winning goal against Germany. Pic: Getty

“The #sismo detected in Mexico City originated artificially,” the organisation posted on social media.

“Possibly by massive jumps during the goal by Mexico in the World Cup.”

The PSV winger scored his eighth international goal and was in no doubt about the importance of his impact against Germany.

“It’s great to start on the right foot, against the reigning world champions,” 22-year-old Lozano said.

“It’s a great result and shows our hard work.

“It’s the best goal I’ve scored in my entire life.

“We all dream of playing in a World Cup – and to start in such a positive and important way – I think it’s my best goal so far.

“It’s not about me, it was a collective effort. We played without fear and my team-mates were incredible.”

Germany coach Joachim Low lamented the opportunities his side squandered throughout the match.

“Everybody is really unhappy and crestfallen but we have to put this behind us,” Low said afterwards.

“Our team has experience of losses. We had a couple of shots, but it seemed jinxed and the ball did not go into the goal.

“In the first half we played very badly. We were not able to impose our usual way of playing, attacking, and there were lots of counter-attacks against us and we were very vulnerable.

“In the second half, we were able to press more, but Mexico drew back and then carried the ball forward fast.”

With Omnisport