Germany may have announced themselves as serious contenders with a commanding 7-1 victory over Curacao, but Joshua Kimmich believes the real tests are only just beginning.

The four-time world champions produced one of the most convincing performances of the tournament so far to seize control of Group E, sending a clear message to the rest of the competition. Yet despite the emphatic scoreline, the German midfielder insists the result alone is not enough to measure where his team truly stands.

"It was an expected win for us, but the way it happened was very dominant," Kimmich told reporters.

"At the same time, results like that are not something you can simply expect at a World Cup."

His comments reflect the growing unpredictability of the tournament, where several traditional powerhouses have already encountered unexpected difficulties.

While Germany cruised to victory, European champions Spain were held to a shock 0-0 draw by Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia earned a valuable point against Uruguay in another surprise result.

Those outcomes have only reinforced Kimmich's belief that Germany must remain grounded despite their impressive opening display.

Germany Looking to Restore Their Reputation

For Germany, this World Cup carries extra significance.

After suffering humiliating group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022, one of international football's most successful nations arrived in North America determined to restore its reputation.

The early signs have been encouraging.

Germany are currently riding a 10-match winning streak and appear to be playing with growing confidence and cohesion.

However, Kimmich believes the group stage will provide a much clearer picture of their true level.

Their next opponents, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, are expected to offer far sterner resistance than Curacao.

Both teams opened their campaigns strongly and remain firmly in the race for qualification.

Ivory Coast secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening match and now face Germany in what could become one of the most important fixtures of Group E.

"Both teams are physically very strong and deal well with the conditions," Kimmich explained.

"The first match was against an opponent who is not at the highest international level. Now we will face teams that can show us exactly where we stand."

Strength in Attack, Questions in Defence

While Germany's attacking quality was evident throughout the opening match, Kimmich admitted there are still areas that require improvement.

The midfielder believes his team possesses enough creativity, pace and technical ability to hurt any opponent in the competition.

Yet he also stressed the need for greater defensive consistency.

"We have great qualities going forward and can create problems for any team," he said.

"But we need more stability."

"We must reduce the number of goals we concede, even against opponents that may not be considered among the strongest."

That concern has also been echoed by former Germany head coach Joachim Low.

The man who guided Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 recently praised the team's quality but questioned whether they possess the defensive balance necessary to lift the trophy.

It is a viewpoint Kimmich understands, though he believes more evidence is needed before drawing conclusions.

Staying Focused on the Process

Rather than becoming distracted by discussions about title chances, Kimmich wants Germany to focus on the next two matches.

For him, the encounters against Ivory Coast and Ecuador will reveal far more than a one-sided victory over Curacao ever could.

"Let's play the next two matches first," he said.

"Then everyone can make a better assessment of where we are."

The midfielder remains optimistic about the direction of the team, pointing to their current winning streak and growing confidence within the squad.

"We've now won 10 matches in a row."

"I have the feeling that we are on a very good path."

Bigger Challenges Await

Germany's opening performance undoubtedly caught the attention of the football world.

The attacking football, relentless pressing and clinical finishing served as a reminder of the standards the nation once set on the international stage.

But World Cups are rarely won in the opening week.

The true contenders are often identified not by how they perform against underdogs, but by how they respond when faced with opponents capable of matching their quality.

Germany's next challenge arrives against Ivory Coast.

Only then, according to Kimmich, will the football world begin to discover whether this German side is merely enjoying a strong start—or genuinely possesses the tools required to end a 12-year wait for another World Cup crown.