Germany commenced its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a convincing, 7-1 victory over Curaçao at Houston Stadium in what was the latter’s first-ever World Cup game.
As for context on the two countries, Germany, which is ranked No. 10 in the FIFA World Rankings and entered this matchup as overwhelming favorites, has failed to advance beyond the group stage in each of the last two World Cups after lifting the trophy in 2014. Meanwhile, Curaçao, which is the smallest country in the World Cup, ranked 82nd in the FIFA World Rankings.
Here are the top plays from Sunday’s Germany vs. Curaçao matchup:
Kai Havertz Shines – And Germany Makes History
After Germany forced a turnover, Kai Havertz scored his second goal of the match in the 88th minute.
Deniz Undav retrieved a pass off the Curaçao turnover and sent the ball off to Havertz, who turned on the burners and smacked home a score through traffic. It gave Germany a 7-1 lead and tied it for the most goals the country has scored in a World Cup game.
Another One For Good Measure
Germany was knocking on the door, and then it chose to break down the door.
Deniz Undav, who assisted on Germany’s fifth goal, hammered home the country’s sixth goal of the match in the 78th minute after a series of sharp passes and an assist from Joshua Kimmich.
Germany Cannot Be Stopped
The Germans are asserting themselves.
Prior to the second-half hydration break, Nathaniel Brown made it a 5-1 Germany lead in the 68th minute after hitting home a goal off a series of pretty passes; Deniz Undav assisted on the goal.
Germany On A Roll
Jamal Musiala has entered the chat.
The young German star gave his country a 4-1 lead in the 47th minute with a nifty score off a Joshua Kimmich assist. It was Musiala’s first World Cup goal and his 10th score for Germany in 43 appearances, per FOX Sports Research.
HALFTIME: Germany 3, Curaçao 1
The Germans scored early and often in the first half, as Felix Nmecha scored in the sixth minute, Nico Schlotterbeck connected on a header in the 38th minute and Kai Havertz made a penalty kick to end the first half. Curaçao did score its first World Cup goal in the 21st minute, with Livano Comenencia driving home a goal.
In all, Germany possessed the ball for the majority of the half and got off 16 total shots (five on goal), compared to Curaçao’s four total shots (two on goal).
Germany Capitalizes
Germany was awarded a penalty kick after a trip by Curaçao in the third minute of added time, and Kai Havertz made them pay, connecting on the penalty kick and giving the Germans a 3-1 halftime lead.
Germany Gets That Goal Back
After the euphoria of Curaçao’s first World Cup goal, Nico Schlotterbeck put the Germans back in front with a close-up header off a corner kick in the 38th minute, which was assisted by Nathaniel Brown and gave Germany a 2-1 lead.
Curaçao Scores Historic Goal!
In what was its first World Cup game ever, Curaçao scored its first goal in the 21st minute when Livano Comenencia finished off a strong push with a screaming shot to level the score at 1-apiece — and hit the John Cena “You Can’t See Me” celebration after the goal.
The Raw Emotion
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann was pumped up after the Germans took the early 1-0 edge.
That Was Fast!
Germany’s Felix Nmecha delivered a crisp pass to Florian Wirtz, who delivered a crisp pass of his own back to Nmecha, who then powered home a goal in the sixth minute for the Germans.
Germany Begins Its Quest
“Quest? I’m already on a quest … a quest to get my swamp back!”
Germany’s not on a quest to get its swamp back like Shrek. Instead, the Germans are out for their fifth men’s World Cup — and soaking in the moment.
The Germans are led by manager Julian Nagelsmann, who’s the youngest manager in the World Cup at 38 years and 326 days old, while Curaçao manager Dick Advocaat is the oldest in the tournament at 78 years and 260 days old. This is the largest gap between opposing managers in World Cup history.
Making History
Curaçao is competing in its first-ever World Cup.
