Ghana 1, Serbia 0

Pretoria, South Africa — The first World Cup in Africa has its first African winner.

Ghana stunned Serbia when Asamoah Gyan scored on an 84th-minute penalty kick Sunday for a victory in Group D. The win set off celebrations not only on the Loftus Versfeld pitch, but throughout Ghana.

And across the African continent.

“That’s what you’re seeing,” Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah said. “This is the first time the World Cup is held in Africa, and all Africa is united.”

After the final whistle, the Ghana players ran across the field in jubilation, some carrying national flags as they received applause from a crowd that pretty much made them the home team.

Germany 4, Australia 0

Durban, South Africa — For one night, the Beautiful Game belonged to Germany.

Known more as a methodical team than a brilliantly creative one such as Brazil, the Germans scored several lovely goals in a World Cup rout of Australia.

Germany scored two goals in each half, and Tim Cahill was sent off as the three-time champion surged to the top of Group D.

Slovenia 1, Algeria 0

Polokwane, South Africa — Hey, England and America, look who’s on top of your World Cup group. Little Slovenia!

Robert Koren scored a late goal Sunday to give Slovenia a victory over 10-man Algeria in the teams’ tournament opener, putting the World Cup’s smallest nation — population 2 million, about the size of Houston — ahead of the U.S. and England in Group C.