Germany opened their World Cup 2026 campaign dominantly with a commanding 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao on Sunday. The match delivered a one-sided scoreline, but it also produced historic moments for the Caribbean nation in front of a crowd of 68,021 spectators.
Germany struck early as Felix Nmecha scored after just six minutes, registering the fastest goal of the tournament so far. Julian Nagelsmann’s side continued to control possession and dictate the tempo throughout the match. Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz (two goals), Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav all found the net in a relentless attacking display.
However, Curacao briefly made history in the 21st minute. Livano Comenencia scored their first-ever World Cup goal, stunning the crowd and leveling the match temporarily. Despite the defeat, the moment marked a milestone for the island nation as it became the smallest country by population and area to feature at a World Cup finals.
Historic Moments for Curacao Amid Heavy Defeat
Curacao, coached by veteran manager Dick Advocaat, also witnessed another record as the 78-year-old became the oldest coach in World Cup history. Their supporters celebrated the team’s participation despite the heavy scoreline, treating the occasion as a landmark achievement.
Advocaat acknowledged Germany’s superiority while praising his team’s spirit. He noted that his side conceded avoidable goals but still gained valuable experience on the global stage. He added that the remaining group matches could bring better results.
Germany Respond with Clinical Dominance
Germany regained control quickly after Curacao’s equaliser. Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header in the 38th minute. Shortly after, Kai Havertz converted a penalty to extend the advantage before Jamal Musiala added another goal early in the second half.
From there, Germany continued to dominate. Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav added further goals, while Havertz completed his brace to seal a comprehensive win.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his team’s performance, noting that Curacao showed moments of quality despite the scoreline. He said an early setback after the equaliser briefly disrupted Germany’s rhythm but the team recovered strongly.
Germany’s experienced goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also made history by becoming the oldest German player to feature at a major tournament at the age of 40, surpassing Lothar Matthäus.
With this emphatic win, Germany sent a strong message to their Group E rivals, showcasing attacking depth, control, and championship ambition.
