Overview
- Germany opened their Group E campaign with a 7-1 win in Houston on Sunday after recovering from an early equaliser to run up a large goal difference that eases pressure on the four-time champions.
- Curaçao, making its World Cup debut, scored its first-ever World Cup goal through Livano Comenencia and celebrated a historic moment despite the heavy defeat while coach Dick Advocaat became the oldest manager at a finals.
- The Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in Arlington when Daichi Kamada deflected Koki Ogawa’s header into the net in the 88th minute to salvage a point for Japan.
- Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia when Amad Diallo finished a right-flank move in the 90th minute to deliver a surprise group-stage victory and lift his team into second place in Group E.
- Spain’s Lamine Yamal was declared fit for his opener and already holds high-profile partnerships with Visa, Adidas and American Eagle, a sign that strong World Cup showings on the North American stage can quickly turn young players into global commercial stars.