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<figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/madrid_universal_articles_561/ed352b8401e91558d1ec46ea0ce3c2fe" /></figure>
<p>For the second successive day <a href="https://madriduniversal.com/real-madrid-world-cup-spotlight-brahim-vinicius-impress-for-their-nations/" target="_blank">at the 2026 FIFA World Cup</a>, Real Madrid had a representative, although he played a very peripheral role for his nation.</p>
<p>It was yet another day with four games at the tournament, with Germany starting off the proceedings with a 7-1 win over Curacao.</p>
<p>It was the only game that had a Real Madrid player on display, Antonio Rudiger but the central defender did not start for his country.</p>
<p>Julien Nagelsmann preferred to go with Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck, a much younger duo as the pairing in central defence.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/madrid_universal_articles_561/5995f5b4a6c235b430c0f3d913e6f715" /></p>
<p>A peripheral role for Rudiger. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Rudiger did come on though, in the second half, at a stage where Germany were already leading comfortably.</p>
<p>Here is how the German fared.</p>
<h2>Antonio Rudiger vs Curacao</h2>
<p>Antonio Rudiger&#8217;s first appearance of the tournament was more of a late run-out. </p>
<p>The Germany defender came on in the 73rd minute of their Group E opener against Curacao, replacing Jonathan Tah with the game already under control.</p>
<p>By that point, Germany had done most of the damage. They eventually ran out 7-1 winners, with Kai Havertz scoring twice and goals also coming from Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/madrid_universal_articles_561/99483a6ca87f7e987024c51872f35018" /></p>
<p>No longer a starter for Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Rudiger&#8217;s task was mainly to help close out the final stretch without any unnecessary drama. For Madrid, that&#8217;s not a bad thing.</p>
<p>After a long club season, the ideal World Cup start for a senior defender is often simple: get minutes, avoid trouble, and build rhythm without being dragged into a physically demanding contest.</p>
<p>Rudiger remains one of Germany&#8217;s most experienced defenders, and while he did not start this opener, he gives Julian Nagelsmann a serious option once the fixtures become more demanding.</p>
<p>It remains to be seen what role he plays for Germany in the coming weeks.</p>

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