World Cup Nights: Germany hit seven, Netherlands-Japan a classic

A goal-soaked night of Cup football. In Group E, Nagelsmann's Germany put seven past Curaçao (7-1) and Ivory Coast edge Ecuador thanks to an Amad Diallo flash on 90'. In Group F, the Netherlands and Japan serve up the game of the tournament so far (2-2) and Sweden thrash Tunisia 5-1. Tonight Groups G and H take over, with Spain, Belgium and Uruguay in action.

Group E opens with a wave of goals. In Houston, Julian Nagelsmann's Germany hammer Curaçao 7-1 in the Caribbean side's first-ever World Cup match. Felix Nmecha breaks the deadlock on 6', then Kai Havertz takes over: a brace (a penalty on 45+5' and the seal on 88') on a night that hands four players their first Germany goals. In between come strikes from Schlotterbeck (38'), Musiala (47'), Brown (68') and substitute Undav (78'), instantly decisive off the bench. Curaçao, the smallest nation ever at a World Cup, still savour the first World Cup goal in their history, scored by Livano Comenencia on 21'. In Philadelphia, meanwhile, one flash is enough: Ivory Coast edge Ecuador 1-0 through Amad Diallo, who on 90' meets Singo's pass and tucks it into the corner, ending Ecuador's 19-match unbeaten run.

Group F delivers the game of the tournament so far. In Dallas, the Netherlands and Japan share the spoils in a thrilling 2-2, all of it after the break: Virgil van Dijk heads the opener on 51', Keito Nakamura levels on 57', Crysencio Summerville restores the Oranje lead on 63', but on 88' Daichi Kamada makes it 2-2 and sends the Samurai Blue wild. In Monterrey, Graham Potter's Sweden fly out of the blocks: 5-1 over Tunisia with a long-range brace from Yasin Ayari (7' and 90+6'), goals from Alexander Isak (30') and Viktor Gyökeres (59') and a finish from Mattias Svanberg seconds after coming on (84'). Tunisia's only reply was Omar Rekik's brief 2-1 on 43'.

Off the pitch, it's a night of age records: Dick Advocaat, 78, became the oldest coach in World Cup history while leading Curaçao — a mark that changed hands three times in four days (Broos, Koubek and finally the Dutchman). From the other dugout, Nagelsmann breathed a sigh of relief: 'We really needed this convincing win, we needed this self-confidence, and it grew.' Sweden smile as surprise leaders of Group F; Ecuador are left to rue Amad's late strike, which snapped a long unbeaten streak.

Tonight, Groups G and H take the stage. It starts at 6pm Italian time with European champions Spain, who open against fellow first-timers Cape Verde; at 9pm Belgium face Mohamed Salah's Egypt in Seattle. Overnight in Italy there's a double bill: at midnight Saudi Arabia meet Bielsa's Uruguay, and at 3am Iran close the schedule against New Zealand in Inglewood.

On we go, one night at a time. See you tomorrow at dawn.

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