Germany sent an early statement of intent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrashing debutants Curaçao 7-1 in Houston to launch their Group E campaign in emphatic fashion.
The four-time world champions needed just six minutes to score their first goal of the tournament, as Felix Nmecha unleashed a stunning strike to put Germany ahead. Curaçao responded in memorable fashion in the 21st minute when Livano Comenencia caught the Germans off guard with a spectacular effort, scoring his nation's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
Germany regained control before halftime. In the 38th minute, Nathaniel Brown's corner was met by a powerful header from Nico Schlotterbeck to restore the lead. Deep into stoppage time, the Germans were awarded a penalty, and Kai Havertz calmly converted in the fifth minute of added time to make it 3-1 at the break.
The second half began just as the first had, with Germany finding the net early. Joshua Kimmich provided the assist and Jamal Musiala finished clinically into the corner in the 47th minute. Although the tempo slowed afterward, both sides continued to create opportunities.
Brown added his name to the scoresheet in the 68th minute to make it five, before Kimmich registered his second assist of the evening ten minutes later, setting up Deniz Undav for Germany's sixth goal. Havertz then put the finishing touch on a dominant performance in the 88th minute, netting his second goal of the match and Germany's seventh.
The convincing victory puts Germany in a strong early position in Group E, which also includes Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
