Kimmich on Spain's scare and why World Cup minnows bite back

Kimmich: smaller nations are closing the gap

Joshua Kimmich has been around long enough to see the shift. After Spain drew 1–1 with Cabo Verde, the Germany captain said it plainly: "Generally speaking, it's getting more difficult to win games" (1). He pointed to Curaçao, Haiti, Scotland, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador as proof, teams that used to be brushed aside now turn up with a plan. Germany dismantled Curaçao 7–1 in the opener, but Kimmich is not taking anything for granted.

Kimmich backs Sané after criticism

Leroy Sané caught heat after the Curaçao game despite the 7–1 scoreline. Kimmich saw it and did not stay quiet. "I saw that, and to be honest, I don't think the criticism is understandable," he said (5). Sané started and contributed to a rout that featured goals from six different players. Kimmich's message: Germany just delivered their first opening-match win at a major tournament since 2014, find something else to complain about.

Ivory Coast referee confirmed for Saturday

Juan Gabriel Benitez will take charge when Germany face Ivory Coast on Saturday at 22:00 CEST (3) (4). It is his World Cup debut as a referee. The match in Houston shapes as a step up in intensity after the Curaçao cruise, with Ecuador also waiting in the group.

Rüdiger wants Real Madrid to make a signing

Antonio Rüdiger used his platform during World Cup duty to send a message to the Real Madrid board. "Es bienvenido," he said, he is welcome (8). The German centre-back wants a specific player at the Bernabéu, though the target's name did not appear in the report. Rüdiger came off the bench in the second half against Curaçao after being left out of the starting XI.

Danny Röhl lands RB Salzburg job

Danny Röhl is back in the Red Bull system. The former Bayern Munich assistant, part of the sextuple-winning staff in 2020, left Rangers to take over as RB Salzburg manager on a three-year deal (2). Röhl, 36, previously managed Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton before his stint in Glasgow. The move puts him one step from the RB Leipzig job.

Stanišić: the one that got away

Josip Stanišić was born in Munich, trained in Germany's youth system, and plays for Bayern. He chose Croatia. With Germany's full-back depth still a talking point, the question lingers, what if? (6) Stanišić can play right-back and centre-back, and he would walk into most international squads.

Fan reactions

The mood in German fan circles is giddy but guarded. The 7–1 opener has supporters daring to believe again after two disastrous World Cups, though plenty are pointing out Curaçao are not exactly a measuring stick. Kimmich's defense of Sané is going down well, many fans think piling on a player after a seven-goal win is absurd. Nathaniel Brown's breakout has people genuinely excited about the left-back position for the first time in years. Join the discussion on r/soccer