Germany's 7-1 demolition of Curaçao broght back memories of the run to the 2014 World Cup title but there is no reason to celebrate too much.
"It does us good to score seven goals. But we must continue to work on our weaknesses," left back Nathaniel Brown said.
The big win in Houston was another example that Germany have extraordinary firepower up front but remain vulnerable on defence even against a team like 82nd ranked World Cup debutants Curaçao.
Felix Nmecha had given Germany a 1-0 lead but Curaçao hit back from Livano Comenencia amid some sloppiness at the back from the Germans who were partially saved in that period by a hydration break which allowed them to regroup.
Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz restored the lead before half-time and Jamal Musiala, Brown, Deniz Undav and Havertz again completed the scoring.
"It was very positive. Everyone wants a good start. It was important and the players off the bench brought energy," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the 2014 champion who came out of international retirement for the tournament.
"It felt very good, like always. It is what I have been doing for 20 years. It felt good to be on the pitch with the team," he said, adding "I would have like to have saved" the shot for the equalizer.
It was Germany's first win in a first World Cup match since 2014 when they beat Portugal 4-0. And the 7-1 scoreline was identical with that from the famous 2014 semi-final triumph over Brazil.
"Houston, we have no problem," the Bild paper said, referring to the famous call "Houston we have a problem" from the movie Apollo 13 on the stricken spaceship.
Bild spoke of "a wonderful start by the national team" in the Texan city while Kicker sports magazine said: "Keep the balance then a lot is possible."
Coach Julian Nagelsmann highlighted the team's response to the equalizer in light of Germany having lost their first match in 2018 and 2022 and gone out in the group stage.
"I was absolutely delighted for the team. Especially when you look at the last two tournaments. Neither of the opening matches went well," he said.
"Obviously we were the favourites today ... Then we conceded an equaliser from the very first move. You have to regroup after that. I think it’s really important how the team deals with that. You have to score seven goals first."
Brown said: "Conceding was unnecessary. Maybe we needed to wake up but we responded well."
It could have been more goals but Leroy Sané, who got the nod, missed two big chances but Nagelsmann backed the winger like in the past.
He praised Arsenal's Havertz as "a top player" who is "very relaxed and a cool lad" and also Undav, who came on in the 64th and then set up Brown and Havertz while also scoring himself.
"He has the street footballer gene," Nagelsmann said. "He is a finisher. You need someone like that in such a tournament."
Undav came on for Musiala but Nagelsmann was quick to say that Musiala is not having another injury setback after a severe leg injury last year and a pain reaction in spring.
“I didn’t take him off because of an injury. It’s quite normal for him to feel a twinge in his muscles from time to time,” Nagelsmann said after Musiala had stretched and held his leg.
He said Musiala even asked: "I'm still fit, why do I have to come off?"
The tasks against Ivory coach and Ecuador in the next group games will be tougher but the confidence is there after the big win.
ARD pundit Bastian Schweinsteiger, a key midfielder in the 2014 capiagn, was optimistic overall.
"It gives you confidence, a push. We know that you have to stand your ground at the back against Ivory Coast and Ecuador. But it is good that we can create so many chance and score many goals," he said.
"We have the ambition and the team to win the group."
Added Nmecha: "We are all happy and must continue game by game to play a good World Cup.
