Germany beats Curaçao 7-1 as VAR official gesture sparks racism debate

Germany dominated the match, scoring seven goals and conceding only one as they opened their World Cup campaign against Curaçao. The decisive moments came early, with a hat‑trick from their striker and a swift midfield transition that left the Caribbean side chasing the game.

Off the pitch, attention shifted to the VAR suite where Australian official Shaun Evans raised his hand in a manner that many interpreted as a racist gesture, prompting a wave of criticism on social media. FIFA has announced an investigation into the incident while the German team celebrates its commanding performance.