Germany rout debutants Curaçao as Japan hold the Netherlands on a high-scoring Day 4

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Germany made an emphatic start to their World Cup, beating debutants Curaçao 7-1 in Houston, with Kai Havertz scoring twice. The smallest nation ever to reach the finals briefly drew level through Livano Comenencia, but the four-time champions answered with a flurry of goals to run away with it after the break.

The Netherlands, by contrast, were pegged back in the day's most dramatic match, drawing 2-2 with Japan. Three goals arrived in 13 second-half minutes and the Dutch led 2-1, only for Daichi Kamada to level in the 88th minute and earn Japan a deserved point.

Day 4's other Group E and F fixtures also delivered: Sweden brushed aside Tunisia 5-1, while Ivory Coast snatched a 1-0 win over Ecuador through Amad Diallo's goal deep in stoppage time.

Transfer and squad notes

Curaçao's bow was bittersweet — the Caribbean side, by far the smallest nation by population to reach a World Cup, got on the scoresheet through Comenencia before Germany pulled clear, and they continue their historic campaign against Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

The opening round of group games is nearly complete, and the early standings are taking shape: Germany and Sweden sit top of their respective groups after big wins, while the Netherlands' draw leaves Group F finely balanced with Japan also on a point.

What it means for the league

A high-scoring Day 4 — nearly 20 goals across four matches — reinforced the attacking, unpredictable tone of the expanded tournament. The heavyweights mostly delivered, with Germany and Sweden flexing their strength, even as the Netherlands' stumble and Japan's resilience showed how quickly the favourites can be made to work.

With the first round of fixtures wrapping up, the second set of group games will begin to separate the contenders from the rest, and sides held in their openers — the Netherlands among them — will already be under pressure to respond.