VAR official investigated after Germany's 7–1 rout of Curacao

VAR official under fire after Germany's opener

Germany 7–1 Curacao, and the scoreline isn't the only thing people are talking about. VAR official Shaun Evans is being investigated by FIFA after he was seen making a hand gesture before Sunday's Group E match in Houston (1) (3). German outlet Spox called it a "rechtsextremes Neonazi-Symbol", a far-right neo-Nazi symbol (3). FIFA wants an explanation, and fast. Not the kind of distraction anyone wants around your team after a statement win.

Seven past Curacao, first opening win since 2014

Your team didn't just beat Curacao, they demolished them. Germany 7–1 Curacao in the World Cup opener, the first time Germany have won their opening match at a major tournament since 2014 (1) (2) (3). It was dominant from the first whistle. Joshua Kimmich set up two, the attack flowed through Felix Nmecha, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz, and left-back Nathaniel Brown both scored and terrorised the flank all night. Manuel Neuer became the oldest player in Germany national team history taking the field.

Commentator: FIFA's game is the bigger loser

Kicker commentator Niklas Aßfalg had a sharp line after the match, suggesting that even if Germany were to go out in the group stage for a third straight tournament, not that anyone's worrying after Sunday, the biggest loser of this World Cup is already locked in: the FIFA World Cup Launch Edition video game (2). "Sollte Deutschland trotz des 7:1 gegen Curacao sensationell ein drittes Mal in Folge in der Gruppenphase ausscheiden, Julian Nagelsmanns Team wäre trotzdem nicht der größte Verlierer der WM. Dieser Titel geht jetzt schon an FIFA World Cup Launch Edition" (2). Brutal.

Fan reactions

Germany fans online treated Sunday like the release of six years of tournament frustration. The mood was euphoric after 7–1, with plenty of jokes about the VAR controversy barely registering next to the football. One thread captured the energy best, celebrating Nagelsmann's rotated squad, Brown's breakout, and the sheer relief of finally starting a tournament properly. Read more on r/soccer