Germany's emphatic victory over Curacao is the first step in their bid to restore a tarnished World Cup reputation

It was the four-time champions' first opening win at a World Cup in 12 years and extended their winning streak to 10 consecutive matches.

The Germans, who next face Ivory Coast before taking on Ecuador, have set the goal of winning the World Cup as they look to restore their damaged international reputation after shocking first-round exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

They have failed to make any impact in international tournaments since winning their last of four world titles, in Brazil in 2014.

They managed to overcome early nerves against the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.

The Germans could have scored more in the first half were it not for sloppy finishing and glaring misses before improving after the break.

Musiala starts

Coach Julian Nagelsmann opted to start with Jamal Musiala and leave in-form striker Deniz Undav on the bench, but the former is still looking to recover his past top form after a six-month absence following a broken leg a year ago.

Their overall performance will have eased German fans' concerns after their recent early exits, but Nagelsmann knows the next two matches will be far more challenging.

There was also good news regarding 22-year-old midfielder Nathaniel Brown, who delivered the best performance of his still young international career with a goal and an assist.

Brown was a surprise addition to the squad after forcing his way into the team with a string of superb Eintracht Frankfurt performances. His combination with substitute Undav for the fifth goal was equally promising.

Undav, who has now scored three goals in the last three matches, missed out on a starting spot but delivered the assist to Brown before scoring himself and setting up Kai Havertz with another assist for the seventh goal.

Undav finished as the Bundesliga's second-best scorer behind Harry Kane.

While it makes little sense to read too much into this victory, the rout has certainly raised the Germans' confidence and given them a healthy goal difference in the group.