Germany beat Curacao for seven to open their World Cup | World Cup 2026 news

Four-time winners Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday.

Germany won their first game in the World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014 with a 7-1 win against their rivals Curacao in their Group E opener in Houston, Texas in the United States.

The Germans face tough tests against group rivals Ecuador and Ivory Coast, but Sunday’s win against the small Caribbean nation puts them in a good position to reach the final for the first time since 2014.

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Germany’s first goal by Felix Nmecha was canceled out by Livano Comenencia’s strike, which caused Curacao’s fans, known as the Blue Wave, to be thrown from their seats in Houston.

However, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz and two, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav scored to end any challenge in World Cup history.

Germany settled early, with Nmecha scoring a beauty in the sixth minute, receiving the ball from Florian Wirtz and curling it around Curacao’s back and past goalkeeper Eloy Room.

The goal caused coach Julian Nagelsmann to let out a loud noise.

Nmecha, who like Musiala played for England at junior level before choosing Germany, went close a few minutes later with a powerful effort from outside the box.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who at 40 is Germany’s oldest World Cup player and playing in his fifth international tournament, was helpless until Comenencia fired in a deflected shot.

As the German giants shook his head in dismay, the greatest coach to ever appear, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, rose from his chair and raised his hands.

A drink break brought the Germans back together.

As soon as he restarted, Schlotterbeck’s head was dramatically turned on the bar by the Chamber.

The four-time internationals were proud to surround the Curacao goal, but time and time again, desperate defending let the Germans down.

However, Curacao’s defense was broken in the 38th minute when an unmarked Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner for his first goal for his country.

The Germans went into the break with a two-goal advantage as Havertz headed home after Nmecha was brought down by Riechedly Bazoer.

Germany struck 69 seconds into the second half, Musiala running onto Joshua Kimmich’s pass and scoring from close range.

It could have been 5-1 just after the hour mark, but Leroy Sane sent his effort wide with only Room to beat.

While Sane came back narrowly, Brown did not, with the full-back firing home just before the second break.

Substitute Undav made it six and his seventh goal in his last seven games.

Havertz finished with his 24th goal as Germany equaled the record they scored against hosts Brazil in the semifinals in 2014.