Houston got its first taste of the World Cup yesterday, with chants by Germany fans echoing through the stadium and cheers and flag waving from Curaçao fans until the final whistle.

Why it matters: The Germany-Curaçao match marked Houston's debut as a World Cup host city and the first of seven matches that will bring fans from around the globe to the region.

The big picture: Germany defeated Curaçao 7-1 in front of a crowd of about 68,000 at Houston Stadium.

• It was still a historic match for Curaçao, the smallest nation in the tournament, which scored its first World Cup goal against one of soccer's giants.

Zoom in: Germany fans outnumbered Curaçao fans, but the Curaçao crowd in blue was relentless, keeping their spirit throughout the match.

• Meanwhile, Germany's supporters took over much of the stadium, dressed in white jerseys and decked out in black, red and gold scarves, wigs and other gear. Many traveled from Germany, hoping to see their team begin a run toward a fifth World Cup title.

What they're saying: "Football is so important. I feel like in the U.S., you can't really feel how it is for most other countries," Germany fan Florian Golbik, from Berlin, told Axios.

• "I'm very, very proud and very happy about what I saw," Curaçao fan Jurandy Lucas said of seeing his country's team play. He was one of over 5,000 people supporting the island country at the stadium.

Worthy to note: Some fans said they spent an hour navigating security lines and finding their way into the stadium.

Threat level: City of Houston Office of Emergency Management reported at least two heat-related medical incidents at the stadium yesterday afternoon.

What's next: Portugal faces Congo at noon Wednesday at Houston Stadium.

👋 Jay here! Taking the Metropolitan Transit Authority's Red Line to Houston Stadium for the game yesterday made me feel like I had won the match.

Why it matters: Depending on your comfort level for being packed like a sardine, the $1.25 one-way ride is the sensible and obvious choice both for in- and out-of-town soccer fans and absolutely beats paying $100+ for parking.

• Trains to and from Houston Stadium are scheduled to run as frequently as every six minutes during the tournament.

By the numbers: Metro police estimated 20,000 fans used the Red Line to leave yesterday's match, per the Houston Chronicle.

My experience: Around 9:40am, I squeezed into an already-packed southbound train at the Museum District stop on my way to the stadium.

• There wasn't room for fans waiting at subsequent stops.
• Despite the circumstances, fans onboard were in good spirits.

Leaving the match was a whole other ball game.

• Because of the number of fans waiting for a return train, we were forced to wait under the hot sun before reaching the tent near the station.
• Officials offered free water to passengers entering the queue, but some still experienced heat illness. At least one person collapsed while waiting in line under the tent.
• I waited about an hour to finally board a train.

Yes, but: Once aboard the train, the ride ran like clockwork.

Pro tips

👋 Shafaq here! I drove to Houston Stadium for the game, where FIFA-controlled parking came with a steep price tag.

Stunning cost: Parking was $150. Stadium parking for each of Houston's World Cup matches costs at least $99.

My experience: I had the luxury of sitting in my air-conditioned car instead of being packed into a crowded train, but it was a painfully slow 25 minutes to travel a single mile.

• My estimated arrival time on my map kept climbing as I watched people who parked in nearby lots — some charging $90 to $100 — walk or take a pedicab toward the gates while traffic barely moved.
• My maps app also wasn't aware of the barricades, making it harder to reach my assigned lot.

The intrigue: There were plenty of open spaces. Parking did not appear to sell out. People apparently weren't willing to shell out more money.

The bottom line: If you can afford to spend $100 or more, stadium parking is largely convenient — especially when leaving. Just be prepared to pay for it and pack some patience.

🌊 A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday as tropical showers move through Houston early this week. (KHOU)

🐘 The Texas GOP drew scrutiny after hiring a troubled Houston-area menagerie to bring a live elephant to its convention in downtown last week. (Houston Chronicle)

📊 The number of people living on the streets or in shelters in Houston is holding steady at about 3,300 this year, according to a new count by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston. (Houston Public Media)

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After biking roughly 16,000 miles through 27 countries on a journey around the world, Germany soccer fan Jakob Alberti checked off a longtime dream in Houston: watching Germany play at the World Cup.

Why it matters: Alberti, 26, said it best: "Because the World Cup is just the biggest sports event in the world."

Catch up quick: Alberti set off from Germany in August 2024.

• The journey took him across Europe, Asia and Australia before he flew to Los Angeles and biked to Houston over the past month.

What they're saying: After Germany's opening game against Curaçao, he told Axios: "I feel amazing. My first World Cup match ever. It was great. I was smiling all match long. It was 10,000% worth it."

Stunning stat: He has run a marathon in every country he's visited so far.

• During the World Cup, he's adding another challenge: running 10 kilometers for every goal Germany scores.
• "That might also lead up to some crazy ultramarathons," he said.

What he said about riding a bike in Houston