Four-time champions Germany defeated World Cup debutant Curaçao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday.
Published June 14, 2026
Germany defeated debutant Curaçao 7-1 in their opening Group E game in Houston, Texas, USA, winning their first World Cup match since lifting the trophy in 2014.
The Germans will face tough tests against group rivals Ecuador and Ivory Coast, but Sunday’s victory over the small Caribbean nation puts them in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time since 2014.
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An early German goal by Felix Nmeka was canceled out by Libano Conencia’s deflected shot, sending Curacao fans known as the Blue Wave from their seats in Houston.
But Nico Schlotterbeck, double Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Braun and Deniz Unduff all scored to end any chance of the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Germany settled early, with Nmeka receiving the ball from Florian Wirths in the 6th minute and scoring a stunning goal past the Curaçao defenders and past goalkeeper Eloy Room.
The goal was met with cheers from coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Nmeka, who, like Musiala, played for England at junior level before joining Germany, scored the goal a few minutes later with a sharp shot from outside the box.
German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 40, the oldest German player ever to play in a World Cup and playing in his fifth world championship, had little to do until Conencia’s shot went off course.
While Germany’s senior players shook their heads in dismay, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, the oldest manager to ever play in a final, rose from his seat and raised his arms.
A drink break allowed the Germans to regroup.
Immediately after the restart, Schlotterbeck’s header was brilliantly deflected over the bar by Room.
The four-time world champions held their breath around the Curaçao goal, but repeatedly frustrated the Germans with desperate defending.
However, in the 38th minute, the free Schlotterbeck headed in a corner kick to score his first goal for his country, causing Curaçao’s defense to collapse.
Havertz scored a penalty after Nmeka was brought down by Leechedley Bazoor and the Germans went into half-time with a two-goal advantage.
Germany scored the goal 69 seconds into the second half when Musiala ran into Joshua Kimmich’s pass from an angle.
It should have been 5-1 just after the hour mark, but Leroy Sane’s shot went wide and there was just one more margin.
Sane came close but Brown was denied as the full-back fired just before the second water break.
Substitute Undav scored his seventh goal in his last seven international appearances, taking the lead to six points.
Havertz scored his 24th goal for Germany, replicating the famous scoreline he scored against hosts Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.
