Football · Houston
Germany thrashes Curaçao 7-1 as World Cup debutants score historic first goal
Germany opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 7-1 demolition of debutants Curaçao in Houston, though the Caribbean side will remember Livano Comenencia's historic equaliser.
AI text based on reports by adevarul.ro, Mediafax.ro and Digi24. Published . How it is made
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In brief
Julian Nagelsmann's side defeated Curaçao 7-1 in their opening Group E match, the largest victory of the 2026 World Cup so far.
22-year-old right-back Livano Comenencia equalised in the 21st minute, writing his name into the history books for the debutant nation.
Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time and added a second late on, while four other German players also got on the scoresheet.
Curaçao manager Dick Advocaat, 78, became the oldest head coach ever to appear at a World Cup tournament.
- 14 Jun68' - Brown scores his first Germany goal.
- 14 Jun78' - Undav adds a sixth.
- 14 Jun88' - Havertz completes his brace with a lob.
German fast start
Germany needed only six minutes to take the lead at NRG Stadium. Felix Nmecha finished calmly from inside the area after a slick move. Leroy Sane went close to doubling the advantage moments later, shooting wide, but the early pressure seemed certain to produce more.
Comenencia's historic moment
Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, stunned the crowd in the 21st minute. Right-back Livano Comenencia, 22, picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a left-footed shot that took a deflection to beat Manuel Neuer. It was Curaçao's first goal at a men's World Cup finals.
“We have nothing to lose.”
Germany pull away before the break
The equaliser roused Germany. Nico Schlotterbeck headed in Nathaniel Brown's corner on 38 minutes. Deep into added time, Riechedly Bazoer fouled Nmecha inside the area and Kai Havertz drilled home the penalty to make it 3-1 at the interval.
Second half barrage
Julian Nagelsmann's side returned with the same intensity. Jamal Musiala collected a Joshua Kimmich pass and curled beyond the goalkeeper in the 47th minute. Brown then scored his first international goal with a cool finish on 68 minutes. Deniz Undav added a sixth ten minutes later, and Havertz completed his brace two minutes from time with a delicate lob over Tyrell Room. Sane missed another clear chance in the 63rd minute, while Curaçao had a Margaritha effort ruled out for offside.
Coach Advocaat makes history himself
At 78 years and several months, Dick Advocaat became the oldest head coach in World Cup history. His Curaçao side, the smallest by both population and area to reach a finals, will now face Ecuador in their next Group E match, while Germany take on Ivory Coast. Germany's seven-goal haul is the tournament's biggest win so far, surpassing the United States' 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
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Sources and context
- adevarul.roCuracao a egalat la 1, însă Germania a câștigat disputa cu 7-1
- Mediafax.roCine este Livano Comenencia? Tânărul de 22 de ani care a intrat în istoria Cupei Mondiale cu primul gol marcat vreodată de Curaçao
- Digi24CM 2026. Germania - Curacao, scorul Cupei Mondiale, până acum
- Mediafax.ro7 - 1 Germania - Curaçao: Das Mannschaft întâlnește o debutantă în grupa E la Cupa Mondială/Victorie zdrobitoare pentru nemți
- Julian Nagelsmann
- Germany head coach, led the team to a 9-match winning streak before the World Cup.
- Dick Advocaat
- Curaçao head coach, became the oldest manager in World Cup history at 78.
- Livano Comenencia
- Curaçao right-back who scored the nation's first ever World Cup goal.
- Kai Havertz
- Germany forward, scored twice (penalty and lob) in the 7-1 win.
- Felix Nmecha
- Germany midfielder, opened the scoring in the 6th minute and won the penalty.
- Nico Schlotterbeck
- Germany defender, scored with a header to restore the lead at 2-1.
- Jamal Musiala
- Germany forward, scored the fourth goal early in the second half.
- Nathaniel Brown
- Germany left-back, scored his first international goal and delivered the corner for Schlotterbeck's goal.
- Deniz Undav
- Germany forward, scored the sixth goal and assisted Havertz's second.
- Leroy Sane
- Germany forward, missed several clear chances during the match.
- Joshua Kimmich
- Germany midfielder, provided assists for Musiala and Undav.
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- Houston
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