Curaçao scores historic first World Cup goal despite heavy defeat
Curaçao marked a major milestone on Sunday by scoring their first ever World Cup goal, even though their debut campaign continued with a 7-1 defeat to Germany.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is now in full flow, with teams fighting for early points and a place in the top two positions needed to reach the knockout rounds.
Sunday brought several major storylines. Some of world football’s biggest sides opened their campaigns, while debutants also created memorable moments on the global stage.
Germany made a comfortable start in Group E, brushing aside Curaçao in a one-sided match. The Caribbean island had already made history by becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, and their first goal in the competition gave their supporters something to celebrate despite the scoreline.
Brazil and Morocco draw as Scotland starts with a win
One of the first major fixtures of the tournament saw five-time world champions Brazil face African champions Morocco in Group C.
Morocco began strongly, pressing high and putting Brazil under pressure from the first whistle. Their early dominance was rewarded in the 21st minute when Brahim Diaz slipped a precise pass through to Ismael Saibari, who lifted a composed finish over Alisson Becker.
Brazil struggled to build from the back early on, but they slowly found their rhythm. Bruno Guimarães and Vinicius Junior combined well before the Real Madrid forward moved into space inside the box. Vinicius then beat the Moroccan defence and fired a powerful shot into the top corner to make it 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
Both sides had moments to win it, but neither could make the next chance count. In the other Group C game, Scotland beat Haiti at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. John McGinn scored in the 28th minute, giving Scotland three points and first place in the group.
Australia beats Turkey while Japan denies the Netherlands late on
Group D delivered an early surprise as Turkey, back at the World Cup after 24 years, lost 2-0 to Australia. Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Connor Metcalfe sealed the result with a second goal in the 75th minute.
The win gave Australia three important points and second place in the group, behind co-hosts the United States on goal difference.
Japan and the Netherlands produced one of the more dramatic matches of the day in Group E. Japan looked dangerous in the first half but failed to take their chances. The Netherlands then went ahead in the 51st minute when Virgil van Dijk guided the ball past Zion Suzuki.
Japan responded quickly through Keito Nakamura, who struck a powerful low finish into the bottom corner in the 57th minute. The Netherlands regained the lead seven minutes later when Crysencio Summerville cut inside from the right and curled the ball into the bottom corner.
The Dutch side then tried to protect their narrow advantage, but Japan found a late answer. In the 89th minute, they forced the ball past Bart Verbruggen from a corner to earn a 2-2 draw.
Ivory Coast edges Ecuador before Monday’s fixtures
Ivory Coast also began their Group E campaign on Sunday against Ecuador. The match stayed tight for almost the full 90 minutes, but Amad Diallo struck late to give the African side a 1-0 win and three valuable points.
That result leaves Ivory Coast second in Group E behind Germany, while the Netherlands and Japan sit on one point each after their draw.
More fixtures are scheduled for Monday and the early hours of Tuesday. Spain will face Cape Verde at 6 pm CET, Belgium will meet Egypt at 9 pm CET, Saudi Arabia will play Uruguay at midnight, and Iran will take on New Zealand at 3 am on Tuesday.
