Germany commenced their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a commanding 7-1 triumph over tournament debutants Curaçao in their Group E opener at Houston Stadium. Julian Nagelsmann's side showcased their attacking prowess, with Kai Havertz bagging a brace and five other players finding the net in a comprehensive performance.
The four-time champions wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Felix Nmecha opening the scoring in the sixth minute, courtesy of a precise assist from Florian Wirtz. However, Curaçao, making their historic World Cup debut, responded bravely. Livano Comenencia etched his name into his nation's footballing folklore, levelling the score in the 21st minute with Curaçao's first-ever World Cup goal, sparking jubilant scenes.
Germany quickly re-established their lead. Nico Schlotterbeck rose highest to meet a corner in the 38th minute, powerfully heading home Nathaniel Brown's delivery. Just before the interval, Nmecha was fouled inside the box, and Havertz calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending Germany into the break with a 3-1 advantage.
The second half saw no let-up from the Germans. Immediately after the restart, a pass from Joshua Kimmich found Jamal Musiala, who slotted the ball past the Curaçao goalkeeper for Germany's fourth. The substitutions proved effective, with Deniz Undav coming off the bench to make a significant impact. He assisted Nathaniel Brown in the 68th minute, extending Germany's lead to 5-1.
Undav then turned scorer himself, hammering home Germany's sixth goal in the 78th minute following a series of sharp passes, with Kimmich providing his second assist of the match. Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute, capitalising on a turnover and an assist from Undav to seal a resounding 7-1 victory. This emphatic win marks Germany's tenth consecutive victory and equals their record for the most goals scored in a World Cup game.
While the scoreline reflects Germany's superiority, Curaçao can take pride in their historic first World Cup goal. They will look to regroup for their next Group E fixture, while Germany will aim to build on this dominant start as they pursue a fifth World Cup title. For more on Germany's World Cup journey, visit /teams/germany. For details on Curaçao's historic debut, see /teams/curacao. Keep up with all the tournament developments at /standings.
By the Numbers
- Germany maintained 71% possession in the first half, showcasing their control of the game.
- Germany registered 16 total shots in the first 45 minutes, with five on target.
- Curaçao managed four shots in the first half, two of which were on target.
- Substitute Deniz Undav had a highly efficient outing, scoring one goal and providing two assists in his 26 minutes on the pitch.
- This victory marks Germany's 10th consecutive win, a strong run of form heading into the tournament.
