HOUSTON — Germany delivered a statement performance in its FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, overwhelming Curaçao 7-1 on Sunday despite a spirited display from the tournament debutants.
Kai Havertz scored twice as the four-time world champions powered away after Curaçao briefly threatened to spring a shock by leveling the match in the first half.
Germany took an early lead through Felix Nmecha in the sixth minute, but Curaçao etched its name into World Cup history when Livano Comenencia scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute to make it 1-1.
The Caribbean side held firm until the 38th minute before Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead with a header from a corner.
Havertz then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give Germany breathing room before Jamal Musiala struck moments after the restart to make it 4-1.
Nathaniel Brown added a fifth goal in the 68th minute, Deniz Undav got on the scoresheet 10 minutes later, and Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute as Germany ran away with the contest.
Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao earned admiration for its fearless approach and historic breakthrough goal, a moment celebrated passionately by the team’s players and supporters.
“We screamed our lungs out,” Curaçao winger Jearl Margaritha said of Comenencia’s goal. “It felt like it was all of us, the whole island.”
The emphatic victory provides a major confidence boost for Germany, which arrived at the tournament looking to move on from consecutive group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“We really needed this convincing win,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “We needed this self-confidence.”
Germany sits atop Group E after the opening round and will face Ivory Coast in Toronto on Saturday, while Curaçao takes on Ecuador in Kansas City seeking its first World Cup point.
Source: Saudi Gazette