Curaçao celebrate first World Cup goal despite heavy defeat against Germany, Sweden move to top of Group F with five-goal display and Japan fight back twice to hold Netherlands.
Germany opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over tournament debutants Curaçao on Sunday, although the Caribbean side still enjoyed a historic moment of their own.
Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead after six minutes before Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav added to the scoreline. Havertz struck twice as Julian Nagelsmann's side made an emphatic start in Group E.
Curaçao briefly drew level through Livano Comenencia, whose deflected effort in the 21st minute secured the nation's first-ever World Cup goal. The strike sparked huge celebrations among the sizeable Curacao support and marked a landmark moment for the smallest country ever to compete at the finals.
"Despite this 7-1 outcome, the joy of the fans is fantastic," Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat said. "This is not a disgrace, we can still be proud."
Germany regained control before half-time and never looked back, sending an early warning to their rivals.
"I'm very satisfied with us scoring seven goals and our performance for the most part," Nagelsmann said.
Sweden produced one of the performances of the opening round as they swept aside Tunisia 5-1 to move top of Group F.
Yasin Ayari was the standout performer, scoring twice, including two spectacular long-range efforts. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres were also on target before substitute Mattias Svanberg added a late fourth.
Tunisia reduced the deficit before the break through Omar Rekik, but Sweden remained firmly in control and pulled clear in the second half.
"The boys played with a stability and a calmness throughout the game," Sweden coach Graham Potter said.
The result marked Sweden's highest-scoring World Cup match since their 8-0 victory over Cuba in 1938.
Ivory Coast made a winning return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence as substitute Amad Diallo struck a dramatic late winner to seal a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
The Group E contest appeared destined for a draw before Diallo found the breakthrough in the 90th minute, handing Emerse Fae's side a valuable three points in what could prove a crucial match in the race for qualification.
"We came here with ambitions, with high hopes," Fae said after the match. "This shows that our team has acquitted itself well."
The Ivorians now face Germany in their next group match after both sides opened with victories.
Japan twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in an entertaining Group F encounter.
Virgil van Dijk gave the Dutch the lead early in the second half before Keito Nakamura levelled. Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' advantage, but Japan refused to fold and grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser credited to Daichi Kamada.
Missing injured captain Wataru Endo, Japan produced a disciplined and resilient display to secure a valuable point.
"The players did a solid job of carrying out what we had targeted and prepared for," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said.
The Netherlands were left frustrated after surrendering the lead twice.
"It's disappointing," coach Ronald Koeman said. "You come ahead twice and you don't end up winning the game."
The draw leaves Group F finely poised after the opening matches, with Sweden leading the standings ahead of Japan, the Netherlands and Tunisia.
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Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
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