(foto: Getty Images)
Germany crushed Curaçao 7-1 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, with Kai Havertz scoring twice and Jamal Musiala also finding the net.
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Germany could hardly have asked for a better start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann's side overwhelmed Curaçao 7-1 in Houston, sending an early message to the rest of the tournament and moving to the top of Group E.
For Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, it was a harsh introduction to football's biggest stage.
The Germans wasted little time asserting their superiority.
In the sixth minute, Felix Nmecha opened the scoring after a clever pass from Florian Wirtz, giving Germany the perfect start.
To their credit, Curaçao refused to collapse.
In the 21st minute, Livino Comenencia produced one of the moments of the match with an excellent strike from the edge of the penalty area to level the score at 1-1.
For a brief moment, the underdogs dared to dream.
Germany quickly restored order.
Nico Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner in the 38th minute before Kai Havertz converted a penalty shortly before half-time to give the Germans a comfortable 3-1 lead.
The second half became a one-sided exhibition.
Jamal Musiala struck only two minutes after the restart, effectively ending any hopes of a Curaçao comeback.
Germany's relentless pressure continued as Nathaniel Brown added a fifth goal in the 68th minute.
Substitute Deniz Undav then got on the scoresheet and also contributed an assist during an influential cameo from the bench.
Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute to seal a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao showed admirable courage throughout the match.
Coach Dick Advocaat instructed his players to press aggressively at times rather than simply defend deep for ninety minutes. The approach created a few positive moments but also left significant space for Germany's talented attackers to exploit.
The difference in quality eventually became impossible to overcome.
Germany received strong performances across the pitch, with Wirtz, Musiala and Havertz particularly impressive as the attacking unit repeatedly found gaps in Curaçao's defensive structure.
The result gives Nagelsmann's team an ideal foundation for the rest of the group stage and boosts their goal difference significantly.
Curaçao, meanwhile, will look for a response in their next match against Ecuador, a fixture that may offer a more realistic opportunity to collect their first points at a World Cup.
Germany's opening statement, however, was impossible to ignore.
Seven goals, three points and a dream start to their World Cup campaign.