Germany began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Sunday, thrashing debutants Curacao 7-1 in their opening Group E fixture in Houston.
The victory secured Germany’s first win in a World Cup opener since lifting the trophy in 2014 and strengthened their bid to reach the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.
Felix Nmecha gave the Germans an early lead, but Curacao responded through Livano Comenencia, whose deflected effort sparked celebrations among the Caribbean side’s travelling supporters.
Germany, however, quickly reasserted their dominance. Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead before Kai Havertz struck twice to put the contest beyond reach.
Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also found the net as the four-time world champions overwhelmed their opponents and extinguished hopes of a major World Cup upset.
The result leaves Germany in a strong position ahead of tougher Group E encounters against Ecuador and Ivory Coast as they seek a return to the latter stages of the tournament.
“It is indescribable,” said 22-year-old Brown of his first ever goal for his country.
“To score in the first World Cup match, my family is there, then to celebrate with the guys — simply incredible.”
Germany settled early, Nmecha scoring a beauty in the sixth minute, receiving the ball from Florian Wirtz and curling the ball round a Curacao defender and past goalkeeper Eloy Room.
The goal had coach Julian Nagelsmann letting out a huge roar.
Nmecha, who like Musiala played for England at junior level before choosing Germany, went close minutes later with a rasping effort from outside the box.
German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who at 40 is the oldest German player ever to appear at a World Cup and is playing in his fifth global tournament, had had little to do until Comenencia struck with a shot which took a deflection.
While Germany’s senior citizen shook his head ruefully, the oldest coach to ever appear at the finals, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, was up out of his seat arms raised.
The drinks break allowed the Germans to regroup.
“The goal we conceded was unnecessary, but that’s part of it,” said Brown. “I’m proud that we didn’t let our heads drop.”
Soon after the restart Schlotterbeck’s header was brilliantly turned over the bar by Room.
The four-time world champions huffed and puffed round the Curacao goal, but time and again desperate defending frustrated their Germans.
However, the Curacao defence cracked in the 38th minute when an unmarked Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner for his first goal for his country.
The Germans went into the break with a two-goal advantage as Havertz stroked home a penalty after Nmecha had been brought down by Riechedly Bazoer.
Germany struck 69 seconds into the second half, Musiala running on to Joshua Kimmich’s pass and scoring from a tight angle.
It should have been 5-1 just after the hour mark but Leroy Sane sent his effort wide with only Room to beat.
Where Sane came up short Brown did not as the fullback fired home just before the second hydration break.
Substitute Undav made it six with his seventh goal in his last seven international appearances.
Havertz rounded it off with his 24th goal for Germany to replicate the same scoreline as they famously recorded against hosts Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.
