Germany vs Curaçao

Germany swept aside Curaçao 7-1 in their 2026 World Cup Group E opener at NRG Stadium in Houston, a scoreline that eerily mirrored their iconic 7-1 semi-final demolition of Brazil at the 2014 tournament. Felix Nmecha broke the deadlock in the 6th minute, before Livano Comenencia etched his name in history with Curaçao's first-ever World Cup goal, a deflected finish on the counter (21'). Germany responded with clinical authority: Nico Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner (38'), Kai Havertz converted a penalty after Nmecha was tripped in the box (45'+5'), and Jamal Musiala curled a fine far-post finish just after the restart (47'). Nathaniel Brown (68') and substitute Deniz Undav (78') extended the rout before Havertz sealed his brace late on (88'). Germany sit top of Group E with a statement opening win, while Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to reach a World Cup, can at least treasure Comenencia's historic strike despite the heavy defeat.