Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck (15) is tackled by Curaçao’s Jeremy Antonisse, left, as Curaçao’s Juninho Bacuna (7) watches during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
Germany walloped Curacao 7-1 in their World Cup opener on Sunday (June 14, 2026) after Felix Nmecha scored the tournament’s fastest goal so far and then drew a penalty in first-half stoppage time which Kai Havertz converted to extend the lead.
The four-times champions dominated from the start of the Group E match against the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup and were rewarded when Nmecha curled a shot into the corner after a sublime one-two with Florian Wirtz in the sixth minute.
A determined Curacao side gave their fans something to cheer when Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to level but Germany quickly took control again with a Nico Schlotterbeck header and the Havertz penalty.
Germany picked up where they left off after the break with Jamal Musiala holding off a defender to slot home. Nathaniel Brown then notched a goal on his World Cup debut before Deniz Undav and Havertz added late goals to complete an easy victory.
Published – June 15, 2026 12:56 am IST
