Germany rout Curacao 7-1 in World Cup opener
Germany beat World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston, giving Julian Nagelsmann's side a strong start in Group E.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Germany opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 7-1 win over Curacao in Houston, AFP reported, ending a run of poor starts at the tournament. The result put Julian Nagelsmann’s team in a strong early position in Group E before matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
AFP reported that it was Germany’s first victory in an opening World Cup match since 2014, when the team went on to win the title. The four-time champions have not reached the knockout rounds since that tournament, making the emphatic start against debutants Curacao a timely one.
Felix Nmecha gave Germany the lead in the sixth minute after collecting a pass from Florian Wirtz and bending a shot beyond goalkeeper Eloy Room, according to AFP. Nmecha, who represented England at youth level before choosing Germany, nearly added another soon after with a strike from distance.
Curacao responded through Livano Comenencia, whose deflected effort beat Manuel Neuer and lifted the Caribbean side’s supporters, AFP reported. Neuer, 40, became the oldest German player to appear at a World Cup and was playing in the tournament for the fifth time.
The equalizer also brought a reaction from Curacao coach Dick Advocaat, who at 78 became the oldest coach to take charge at the finals, according to AFP. Germany then used the drinks break to settle after Curacao’s goal had briefly changed the mood.
Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead in the 38th minute, heading in from a corner after Curacao had held firm under pressure, AFP reported. The goal was Schlotterbeck’s first for the national team.
Germany added a third before halftime when Kai Havertz converted a penalty after Riechedly Bazoer brought down Nmecha, according to AFP. The margin gave Germany control after a first half in which Curacao’s defending had repeatedly delayed a German breakthrough.
Jamal Musiala scored 69 seconds after the restart, running onto a Joshua Kimmich pass and finishing from a narrow angle, AFP reported. Musiala, like Nmecha, previously played for England at youth level before committing to Germany.
Leroy Sane missed a clear chance shortly after the hour mark when he shot wide with only Room to beat, according to AFP. Nathaniel Brown then made it 5-1 before the second hydration break, finishing from fullback.
Substitute Deniz Undav scored Germany’s sixth, his seventh goal in his last seven international appearances, AFP reported. Havertz completed the scoring with his second of the match and 24th goal for Germany.
AFP noted that the final score matched Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semifinals. Curacao’s first World Cup appearance brought a moment of celebration through Comenencia’s goal, but Germany’s depth and finishing turned the match into a one-sided opener.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.