One of the most anticipated games in the tournament's group stages was a slow burner before developing into a second-half thriller, after the Dutch side's Premier League contingent looked to have set them on their way to an important victory. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville were on target before Crystal Palace's Kamada struck with a deft header to divert Koki Ogawa's effort with two minutes left and secure a draw. Ronald Koeman's side posed the greater threat in a subdued first half, with Donyell Malen the main danger, forcing three saves from Japan keeper Zion Suzuki. The game burst into life after the restart, captain Van Dijk heading the Dutch in front after 51 minutes with a precise header from Liverpool team-mate Ryan Gravenberch's cross. Japan were never out of contention and they were level six minutes later when Keito Nakamura's low shot carried too much power for Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen. The Netherlands responded with a moment of real quality to restore their advantage after 64 minutes, Summerville cutting inside the area before sending a low drive beyond the outstretched arm of Suzuki. Japan continued to press and got their reward through Kamada, to the delight of the thousands of Samurai Blue fans who were in Dallas to support their country.

Tears streamed down the 40-year-old's face as the magnitude of what he had just achieved was starting to sink in, after his side's 0-0 draw with World Cup favourites Spain. The stands erupted and thousands of Cape Verde supporters, who had carried their team with relentless noise for 90 minutes, celebrated together - hugging, dancing, and relishing the result. On the pitch, players raced towards each other in complete joy. Even the neutrals had been swept up in the occasion - by full-time, many were celebrating too. Against European champions Spain, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha had delivered the performance of his life to earn a heroic clean sheet and the most memorable result in his country's history. "I cried because I grew up with my grandparents," said Vozinha after being awarded player of the match. "Unfortunately they were not here. They died a few years before. They were everything for me, everything for my life. "And also because of my mum. She didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn't manage on time. I would like her to be here." He added: "Our best weapon is our unity. Regardless of the player who arrives today, or the player who is 10 or 15 years old, the way we treat our family is our greatest strength. "Everyone thought that we came here just to enjoy the World Cup, but no, we know that we have teams that we will always respect, because this is our first time, but we are here to compete, and we are here to fight for our country."

Die Mannschaft went ahead in the sixth minute with the tournament's earliest goal so far coming from a delightful curling effort from one-time England youth international Felix Nmecha after a classy Florian Wirtz touch. But they were stunned by a historic leveller from the smallest nation ever, by size and population, to take part in a World Cup. With around 155,000 inhabitants, the Caribbean island of just 171 square miles is smaller than the Isle of Man with a population the same as Huddersfield. Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia wrote his name in Blue Wave folklore on 21 minutes with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box which deflected past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, appearing in a fifth tournament at the age of 40 and surpassing Lothar Matthaus as his country's oldest international. Moments after Curacao striker Jurgen Locadia then had a penalty appeal waved away after nipping past Jonathan Tah, a hydration break midway through the half gave the unsettled Germans the opportunity to reset. Julian Nagelsmann's side did just that, showing fresh impetus in attack and restoring their lead after 17 minutes of parity through Nico Schlotterbeck's flashing header from Nathaniel Brown's corner to the near post. The pressure intensified and a calm penalty from Kai Havertz in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage-time - following a rash lunge on the impressive Nmecha by Riechedly Bazoer - gave the eight-time finalists breathing space. Just 69 seconds after the interval Jamal Musiala fired in an angled finish from Joshua Kimmich's neat pass to signal Germany's intent as they took control of the game. Left-back Brown lashed home a volley after a neat flick from substitute Deniz Undav, who then swept home a sixth from Kimmich's pass. The former Brighton forward, now at Stuttgart, then set up Havertz for Germany's seventh goal two minutes from time, a lovely dink over Curacao keeper Eloy Room to seal a dominant success. The victory matched their 7-1 semi-final success over Brazil in 2014 - the last time they lifted the trophy - and took them past the Selecao as the World Cup's leading scorers with 239 goals.

The Aston Villa midfielder's deflected effort in the first half gave Scotland their first World Cup win since 1990 at their first finals since 1998. They sit top of Group C as they aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time ever, despite a nervy second half during which Haiti threatened to equalise. "It wasn't my best of goals but who cares? It's been a long time coming," McGinn told BBC Sport. "I scuffed it a wee bit. "Haiti are a decent team by the way. We had to work hard for it. Could we play a bit better? Aye. But it was a must-win game and we won. I'm absolutely over the moon." Scotland still have to face Morocco and Brazil - two sides with the potential to go far at the World Cup - on Friday 19 June and Wednesday 24 June respectively. Steve Clarke and his side know they will need to improve, but McGinn says they will relish this victory on their return to football's biggest stage. "We've been through a lot of hurt as a country," he said. "A generation of supporters haven't seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the parks in a Scotland kit and painting their faces. "Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they'll be beaming with pride because I am. It sets things up for Friday [against Morocco]."

Brazil fell behind in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari lifted the ball over the onrushing Alisson Becker from outside the area following a lapse in communication between the Liverpool goalkeeper and his defenders, Gabriel and Marquinhos. It was the first time the African champions had scored against South American opposition at the World Cup, having failed to do so against Peru in 1970 and Brazil in 1998. Morocco continued to dominate and, by the 30th minute, had registered 12 shots - the most Brazil have faced in a World Cup match since their encounter with Mexico in 2018. But as Mohamed Ouahbi's side failed to capitalise on their advantage, Brazil drew level 13 minutes before the break through Vinicius. Making his 50th appearance for the Selecao, he collected a ball from Bruno Guimaraes inside the area, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce strike past Yassine Bounou. Former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta almost put Brazil ahead in first-half stoppage time, but his acrobatic effort was tipped behind for a corner. With several members of Brazil's triumphant 2002 squad watching on in New Jersey - including Ronaldo, Kaka and Roberto Carlos - Carlo Ancelotti's side began to move through the gears after the break. And although chances were at a premium for both sides, Raphinha came closest to finding an elusive second when he narrowly failed to connect with Guimaraes' low-driven cross across the face of goal. The draw means Morocco's wait to win their opening game at a World Cup goes on, while Brazil's remarkable 92‑year unbeaten first-match record remains intact.