Havertz and Gyokeres score in big World Cup wins | International | News

Kai Havertz was in the goals for Germany as they opened up their World Cup campaign with a huge 7-1 victory over Curacao in Houston on a busy night for our Gunners.

Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha opened the scoring for the Germans before Curacao, making their World Cup debut, equalised through Livano Comenencia.

But the four-time World Cup winners flexed their muscles as Nico Schlotterbeck restored their lead before Kai slotted home his first of the afternoon from the penalty spot.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side went through the gears in the second half as Jamal Musiala, Nathan Brown and Deniz Undav all scored before Kai notched his second and Germany’s seventh with a composed finish over goalkeeper Eloy Room.

It means that Kai is the joint top scorer at the games along with former Gunner Folarin Balogun of the USA and Yasin Ayari of Sweden.

Die Mannschaft take on Ivory Coast in their next fixture on June 20, in Toronto, knowing victory will take them through to the next round.

VIKTOR OFF THE MARK

As Kai was getting his golden boot quest off the perfect start, Viktor Gyokeres was doing the same in the early hours of Monday morning as he netted in Sweden’s huge win over Tunisia.

Starting alongside Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, our top scorer from last season continued to find the net, slotting home from close range after being found by his striking partner.

Isak also found the net, along with a double from Yasin Ayari and Mattias Svanberg, who netted the fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history, scoring just 12 seconds after entering the field of play.

Viktor’s Sweden are now top of their group after the Netherlands and Japan played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Dallas. Sweden will face fellow European side the Netherlands on Saturday, June 20, at 6pm UK time.

PIERO LOSES OUT

While it was victories for Kai and Viktor, it wasn’t to be for Piero Hincapie and Ecuador as they were edged out by the Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.

Piero started the match as chances came at both ends, with Ecuador hitting the woodwork twice in a busy first half.

Both sides continued to search for a winner, and it was the African side who found in with a minute of normal time to spare.

On the counter, Wilfried Singo’s marauding run then found Amad Diallo, who tucked the ball into the corner to snap Ecuador’s 19-match unbeaten run.

It was the first time El Tri have lost in almost two years, but they’ll have the chance to make up for the defeat in their next match against Curacao on Sunday, June 21, at 1am UK time.

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