Germany launched their 2026 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, recovering from an early scare to thrash tournament newcomers Curacao 7-1 in their Group E opener in Houston.
The four-time world champions struck after just six minutes through Felix Nmecha, whose superb curling finish after a clever touch from Florian Wirtz produced the fastest goal of the tournament so far.
However, Curacao stunned the Germans by drawing level midway through the first half.
Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia etched his name into his country's football history with a deflected strike from outside the box, scoring Curacao's first-ever World Cup goal.
The Caribbean nation, making its debut on football’s biggest stage, briefly threatened to produce one of the tournament's great shocks.
With a population of around 155,000 and covering just 171 square miles, Curacao is the smallest nation by both population and size ever to compete at a World Cup.
Germany, though, quickly regained control.
Following a hydration break, Julian Nagelsmann's side found their rhythm again and restored their lead through Nico Schlotterbeck, who powered home a near-post header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner.
Kai Havertz then extended the advantage from the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppage time after Nmecha was brought down inside the area, giving Germany a comfortable 3-1 lead at the interval.
Any hopes of a Curacao comeback disappeared shortly after the restart.
Just over a minute into the second half, Jamal Musiala finished confidently from Joshua Kimmich’s pass to make it four.
Germany continued to dominate as Brown added a fifth with a powerful volley before substitute Deniz Undav marked his introduction with a goal of his own.
Undav then turned provider, setting up Havertz for his second of the evening as Germany completed a ruthless seven-goal display.
The victory matched Germany’s famous 7-1 semi-final win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup and saw them move ahead of the South Americans as the tournament’s all-time leading scorers with 239 goals.
After disappointing group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022, Germany arrived at this World Cup with lower expectations than usual.
Yet Nagelsmann’s side now look like genuine contenders.
The Germans have won 10 consecutive matches since a qualifying defeat to Slovakia last September and appear to have found a balanced, dynamic system that maximises the talents of Musiala, Havertz and Wirtz.
Nmecha, meanwhile, continues to develop into an increasingly influential figure.
Germany attacked with confidence throughout and could easily have scored more.
Leroy Sane notably missed a clear opportunity, while Undav impressed off the bench with a goal and two assists.
The only concern for Nagelsmann may be at the back.
Germany have now gone seven consecutive World Cup matches without keeping a clean sheet, their longest such run since 1970.
Against stronger opposition, defensive lapses such as those that allowed Curacao back into the game may prove more costly.
Still, by winning their opening fixture, Germany have already achieved something they failed to do at the previous two World Cups and appear well positioned to reach the knockout stages for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014.
For Curacao, the result was painful, but the occasion will remain unforgettable.
The Blue Wave briefly dared to dream when Comenencia’s strike cancelled out Germany’s early opener, and for a period they looked capable of troubling one of world football’s giants.
History was made long before kick-off.
Veteran coach Dick Advocaat, formerly of Sunderland, Rangers and the Netherlands national team, became the oldest manager ever to take charge of a World Cup match at 78 years and 260 days old.
Comenencia’s goal ensured Curacao would also leave a permanent mark on the tournament’s history books.
Yet the gulf in quality eventually became clear.
Curacao became the first World Cup debutants in 72 years to concede seven goals in their opening match, highlighting the scale of the challenge they faced against one of the competition’s most decorated nations.
Despite the heavy defeat, Advocaat remained proud of his players.
"We expected to do more, but they were too strong," he said.
"We conceded some easy goals and perhaps 4-1 would have reflected the game better.
"Even after a 7-1 defeat, seeing the joy of our supporters is fantastic."
"This is not something to be ashamed of."
"We can still be proud, and we have two more matches where things can be different."
Curacao now turn their attention to crucial group-stage encounters against Ivory Coast and Ecuador, where their hopes of making a lasting impact at their first World Cup will likely be decided.
