Havertz Brace as Germany Put Seven Past World Cup Debutants Curaçao
Germany defeated Curaçao 7–1 at Houston Stadium in their Group E opener. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but Livano Comenencia briefly levelled with Curaçao's first goal at a World Cup finals before Nico Schlotterbeck, a Kai Havertz penalty and Jamal Musiala sent Julian Nagelsmann's side in 3–1 up at half-time.
Nathaniel Brown volleyed a fifth on his World Cup debut, substitute Deniz Undav added a sixth with two assists to his name, and Havertz clipped home a seventh late on. Germany finished with 65% possession, 26 shots and 12 on target to Curaçao's eight and two in front of 68,021 fans.
The result puts Germany top of Group E on three points with a +6 goal difference. Curaçao sit bottom after their debut defeat and face Ecuador in Kansas City on 20 June, while Germany meet Côte d'Ivoire in Toronto on the same day.
Sources
- https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/285023/289273/400021464
- https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/germany-curacao-highlights-match-report
- https://www.skysports.com/football/germany-vs-curacao/report/549774
- https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/760422
- https://www.fotmob.com/matches/germany-vs-curacao/k77fsyu