Germany Put on Seven-Goal Show Against Curaçao

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E opening match, Germany made a magnificent start to the tournament by defeating Curaçao 7-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston. In the match played in front of 68,021 spectators, Die Mannschaft clearly displayed their attacking power by completely unlocking the Curaçao defence. Starting fast, Germany opened the score in the 6th minute with Felix Nmecha's goal assisted by Florian Wirtz. Curaçao experienced a great moment in the 21st minute with Livano Comenencia; this goal was recorded as the first goal in the Caribbean country's World Cup history. The equality did not last long and Nico Schlotterbeck put his team ahead again in the 38th minute with Nathaniel Brown's assist. In the added time of the first half, Kai Havertz shook the nets from the penalty spot and carried the score to 3-1.

Germany also started the second half fast, increasing the difference to three with Jamal Musiala's goal assisted by Joshua Kimmich in the 47th minute. Deniz Undav, whom Julian Nagelsmann brought to the field in place of Musiala in the 64th minute, became an assist machine as soon as he entered the game. Curaçao had to remove attack leader Jurgen Locadia from the game in the 65th minute. Nathaniel Brown brought 5-1 in the 68th minute with Undav's assist. Nagelsmann made three substitutions at once in the 73rd minute and brought Antonio Rüdiger, Leon Goretzka and David Raum to the game. In the 78th minute, Undav sent the sixth goal into the nets with Kimmich's assist. The last goal of the match was recorded in the 88th minute by Havertz with Undav's assist, reaching his second goal. With this performance, Germany's captain shook the Curaçao nets twice and became one of the stars of the night.

The statistics of the match displayed Germany's clear superiority. In expected goal value, Germany produced 3.90, Curaçao 0.40. In ball possession, Die Mannschaft caught a 65 percent ratio, Curaçao 35 percent. In total shots, Germany attempted 26, while Curaçao's number remained at 8. In big chances, Germany was in a 6-0 superior position. In touches in the opponent's penalty box, Germany also provided a clear superiority of 62 to 10. The match's referee Moroccan Jalal Jayed managed the organisation without any problems. With this victory, Germany added three points to their account in the first match of Group E. Curaçao, on the other hand, has to do more to continue their second round chance against the group's tough rivals Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

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