Germany 7-1 Curaçao | Match Report and Highlights | FIFA World Cup 2026
Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas
Four-time champions Germany faced World Cup debutants Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify, in their Group E opener. With the match nearing its end, Germany has delivered a dominant statement win.
Starting Lineups
Germany (4-2-3-1)
Player: Position
Manuel Neuer: Goalkeeper
Joshua Kimmich(c): Right-Back
Jonathan Tah: Centre-Back
Nico Schlotterbeck: Centre-Back
Nathaniel Brown: Left-Back
Aleksandar Pavlović: Defensive Midfielder
Felix Nmecha: Defensive Midfielder
Leroy Sané: Right Winger
Jamal Musiala: Attacking Midfielder
Florian Wirtz: Left Winger
Kai Havertz: Striker
Head Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Curaçao (4-2-3-1)
Player: Position
Eloy Room (c): Goalkeeper
Sherel Floranus: Right-Back
Armando Obispo: Centre-Back
Riechedly Bazoer: Centre-Back
Deveron Fonville: Left-Back
Livano Comenencia: Defensive Midfielder
Leandro Bacuna: Defensive Midfielder
Sontje Hansen: Right Winger
Tahith Chong: Attacking Midfielder
Juninho Bacuna: Left Winger
Jürgen Locadia: Striker
Head Coach: Dick Advocaat
Match Timeline
⚽ 6' — Germany 1-0 (Felix Nmecha)
Germany made the perfect start, with Nmecha opening the scoring inside the first ten minutes.
⚽ 21' — Germany 1-1 (Livano Comenencia)
A historic moment for Curaçao — a deflected effort from Comenencia beats Neuer for the nation's first-ever World Cup goal, leveling the match.
⚽ 38' — Germany 2-1 (Nico Schlotterbeck)
After sustained pressure, Schlotterbeck heads home from a corner to restore Germany's lead.
45+5' — Penalty converted, Germany 3-1 (Kai Havertz)
Nmecha is fouled in the box deep into stoppage time, and Havertz coolly converts from the spot right before half-time.
HALF-TIME: Germany 3-1 Curaçao (Germany: 60% possession, 16 shots, 5 on target)
⚽ 47' — Germany 4-1 (Jamal Musiala)
Musiala finishes from a tight angle off a Kimmich assist, less than two minutes into the second half.
⚽ 68' — Germany 5-1 (Nathaniel Brown)
The young left-back gets in on the act, extending Germany's lead to four.
🔄 Substitutions (around mid-second half)
Germany made changes to freshen up their attack, with Deniz Undav introduced among the substitutions as Nagelsmann rotated his squad with the game well in hand.
⚽ 78' — Germany 6-1 (Deniz Undav)
Undav scores almost immediately after coming on, capping off a ruthless German display.
87' — Current state of play
Germany 6-1 Curaçao. A statement opening win for Die Mannschaft, while Curaçao can take pride in Comenencia's historic first-ever World Cup goal for the nation.
⚽ 88' — Goal Germany (Kai Havertz)
Kai Havertz scored his 2nd goal of the match, making it 7-1 for Germany
⚽ 90+6' Full Time: Germany won by 7-1
Team Stats
Stats: Germany vs Curaçao
Shots: 26 vs 6
Shots on Target: 11 vs 2
Possession: 65% vs 35%
Passes: 599 vs 289
Pass Accuracy: 89% vs 84%
Fouls: 16 vs 10
Yellow Cards: 0 vs 0
Red Cards:0 vs 0
Offside: 0 vs 1
Corners: 8 vs 1
Final Words
A perfect start for Julian Nagelsmann's side, matching the score of Germany's famous 7-1 win over Brazil at the World Cup 2014. Germany is virtually assured of a knockout spot, while Curaçao — despite the heavy defeat — can be proud of Livano Comenencia's historic goal and a memorable World Cup debut.
