World Cup 2026 | Germany 7 - 1 Curaçao
The first thrashing of the 2026 World Cup
Germany overcame an early scare from World Cup debutants Curacao before finding their rhythm to claim a convincing victory in their Group E opener in Houston.
Author | Ed
Stadium | Houston Stadium
Die Mannschaft took the lead in the sixth minute through the tournament's earliest goal so far, a delightful curling effort from former England youth international Felix Nmecha after an exquisite touch from Florian Wirtz.
There was a shock a few moments later
Germany were jolted by a historic equaliser from the smallest nation, by both size and population, ever to appear at a World Cup.
With a population of around 155,000, the Caribbean island of just 171 square miles is smaller than the Isle of Man and home to roughly the same number of people as Huddersfield.
Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia etched his name into Blue Wave folklore on 21 minutes when his left-footed strike from the edge of the area took a deflection and beat Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Appearing at a fifth World Cup at the age of 40, Neuer surpassed Lothar Matthaus as Germany's oldest international.
Shortly after Curacao forward Jurgen Locadia saw penalty appeals dismissed following a challenge from Jonathan Tah, a hydration break midway through the half offered the unsettled Germans a chance to regroup.
Julian Nagelsmann's side responded well, showing greater urgency in attack and restoring their lead after 17 minutes of parity when Nico Schlotterbeck glanced home Nathaniel Brown's corner at the near post.
Germany's pressure continued to build and a composed Kai Havertz penalty in first-half stoppage time, awarded after a rash challenge by Riechedly Bazoer on the impressive Nmecha, provided valuable breathing space.
Just 69 seconds after the restart, Jamal Musiala drilled an angled finish beyond Eloy Room from Joshua Kimmich's incisive pass as Germany tightened their grip on the contest.
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Left-back Brown added another with a thumping volley after a clever flick from substitute Deniz Undav, who then got on the scoresheet himself by sweeping home from Kimmich's pass.
The former Brighton forward, now with Stuttgart, rounded off an influential cameo by setting up Havertz for Germany's seventh goal two minutes from time, the striker delicately lifting the ball over Room to complete an emphatic win.
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