Colin Menzies: Re Francis (1848), By that logic any GK training is negative - we play to score goals not save them. Train for every situation.

Mexico can barely get out of their own area because Germany are on the attack straight from the off.

Javier Hernadez eventually gets his foot on the ball but gets caught by a German boot and Mexico have a free-kick to relieve the early pressure.

Image source, AFP

Here's a reminder of the teams.

Germany: Ter Stegen, Henrichs, Kimmich, Ginter, Rudiger, Hector, Rudy, Goretzka, Stindl, Draxler, Werner. Subs: Trapp, Mustafi, Plattenhardt, Wagner, Demirbay, Can, Younes, Sule, Sane, Brandt, Demme, Leno.

Mexico: Ochoa, Araujo, Alanis, Moreno, Layun, Giovani dos Santos, Herrera, Jonathan dos Santos, Aquino, Jimenez, Javier Hernandez. Subs: Cota Robles, Salcedo, Marquez, Diego Reyes, Fabian, Vela, Damm, Guardado, Peralta, Luis Reyes, Lozano, Talavera.

Referee Nestor Pitana, a former actor interestingly enough, blows his whistle and Germany get things under way.

National anthems time now.

A chap wearing a green Hulk costume and a Sombrero patriotically holds his arm across his chest as he proudly belts out the words for the Mexican anthem. That's what it's all about...

Image source, AFP

If it's not a sellout at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, it's not far off. It looks packed to the rafters as the two teams walk out onto the pitch.

Image source, Reuters

Less than a month since the Champions League final marked the end of the 2016-17 season, competitive domestic football is back.

Qualifying for the Europa League gets under way tonight with 100 clubs taking their first steps towards reaching the tournament proper.

Among those in action are Scottish sides St Johnstone and Rangers. You can follow their games here.

Francis Edwards: Talk about practicing penalties over the last few days, isn't it a really negative approach? You play to win, not to draw.

This summer's transfer gossip pages are just not the same without Julian Draxler being linked with Arsenal every day.

The German midfielder ended speculation about his future in January by joining PSG and he's certainly shown Arsenal fans what they are missing with his performance at the Confederations Cup.

He created 10 chances for his team-mates during the group stage of the tournament - more than any other player.

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Image source, Getty Images

There's been plenty said about Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup, not all of it good, but the Confederations Cup has given us the chance to see whether the country looks ready to host football's showpiece tournament next year.

Have you liked what you have seen so far? Does it make you want to go to the World Cup next year? For anyone following this page that has actually been to a game at this year's Confederations Cup, how did you find the experience?

Let us know via #bbcfootball, text in on 81111 (UK only) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

When it comes to games against Germany, Mexico's record is, frankly, terrible.

Mexico have won just one of their 10 meetings with Germany, 2-0 in a 1985 friendly match.

Germany have brought a young and relatively inexperienced side to the Confederations Cup, with the average age of their squad 24, but Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio isn't taking their opponents' lack of experience for granted.

"I think being young and having experience are two different things," Osario said. "I think we're going to play against a team that can be a great example to follow for those who believe in processes, in development."

Image source, Getty Images

The Javier Hernandez of 2017 is very different to the Javier Hernandez of 2015, when he was playing for Manchester United.

The 29-year-old says he has since adapted his game to become something more to his team than just a goalscorer.

“Something I learned from the very best coaches in the world is that players must be able to adapt to different circumstances and work things to their advantage," he said.

“At every club, I’ve tried to adapt to my team’s needs. It wasn’t really planned, but the idea was to make the most of things and make myself stand out within the squad. I’m not the tallest player, or the strongest, and maybe not even the fastest either, and so I’ve had to find a way to distinguish myself from other players; it’s almost been a matter of survival.”

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Image source, Getty Images

Should this game go to penalties then Germany have nothing to fear because, well, they are Germany. It's just what they are good at.

An England side once again suffered penalty heartbreak at the hands of Germany as the Three Lions lost 4-3 on penalties in the semi-final of the European Under-21s Championship earlier this week.

Since losing the very first penalty shootout at a major tournament in 1976, Germany have won every one they have contested since.

Is it a case of practice makes perfect?

"No, we haven't practiced," said Germany boss Joachim Low. "The players sometimes do it themselves after training, they go out there and miss a couple of penalties. Perhaps it's even counter-productive to practice penalties too much."

Never let it be said that the BBC doesn't provide sound advice, but I'm not convinced this is the safest way of enjoying the delights of Sochi.

Russians of course, know all about the delights of the Black Sea resort. It's no Cancun though.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Germany secured their place in the last four by finishing top of Group B. They beat Australia 3-2 in their opener - at Fisht Olympic Stadium - before drawing 1-1 with Chile and then defeating Cameroon 3-1 in their final group game.

Mexico, meanwhile, finished runners-up to Portugal in Group A. They are unbeaten at the tournament but have had to come from behind in all three games they have played. An injury time Hector Moreno goal earned a 2-2 draw with Portugal before they beat New Zealand and Russia to progress.

We're at the Black Sea resort of Sochi for this game.

The city stretches along 140km of the coast, making it the longest city in Europe, and came to prominence when it hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The stadium we are at tonight, the 40,000 capacity Fisht Olympic Stadium was constructed for those Games and is a host venue for next year's World Cup as well as this year's Confederations Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Joshua Kimmich is usually involved when Germany score. The Bayern Munich midfielder has provided eight assists in his last 12 international games.

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The team news is in.

It's not a team brimming with recognisable names for Germany as Joachim Low has opted to give youngsters a chance in Russia. Tonight, Bayer Leverkusen's 20-year-old full-back Benjamin Henrichs gets his chance to shine as he makes his first start of the tournament.

Cologne's Jonas Hector, Leon Goretzka of Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach's Lars Stindle all return.

For Mexico, former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez starts. The forward, who plays his football in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, scored his only goal at the tournament in a 2-2 draw with Portugal in the group stage.

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It is 12 years to the day since Germany last faced Mexico. That was also at the Confederations Cup as the two sides contested the third-place play-off.

Six goals were scored in normal time before Michael Ballack struck in the 97th minute to seal a 4-3 win for Germany.

Both sides having scored plenty at this year's tournament but also conceded a few as well. Strong attacks + leaky defences = goals?

We can certainly hope.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Controversial decisions, Claudio Bravo saving not just shots, but also penalties and Cristiano Ronaldo having a bit of a sulk, external after being denied the chance to be Portugal's hero, last night's Confederations Cup semi-final had it all, right?

Not quite.

Prior to the dramatic conclusion there was 120 minutes of goalless football as the stars of the show - Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez - only sparkled in flashes.

Fortunately, Germany play Mexico tonight and the two sides have form when it comes to goal-packed encounters...