2026 World Cup: Germany thrash Curaçao; historic debut with a goal for the Caribbean side
At the NRG Stadium in Houston, it was a one-sided match between the four-time world champions and the Caribbean nation’s national team, who scored their first ever World Cup goal
At one point, in the 20th minute of the first half, Livano Comenencia scored the equaliser for the Caribbean side from Curaçao against four-time world champions Germany, sending a section of the more than 68,000 spectators at Houston’s NRG Stadium into raptures. The fairy tale was short-lived, however, as the Germans, having taken the lead through Felix Nmecha – who finished off a neat one-two with Wirtz with a precise shot – after just six minutes, resumed their dominance and goal-scoring spree, ending the match with a resounding 7-1 victory that left no room for doubt.
The German team maintained constant pressure throughout the match, although Curaçao put in a respectable performance – not only because they scored the first goal in the history of the World Cup, but also thanks to the commitment and technical ability of several players in the squad, many of whom were trained in the Netherlands.
Germany regained control and went back in front in the 38th minute through Nico Schlotterbeck, who rose highest to head home from a corner. In first-half stoppage time (45’+5), Kai Havertz converted a penalty to make it 3-1, effectively sealing the match. The second half was a one-sided affair, with Musiala making it 4-1 in the 47th minute, getting straight into the game after the break. In the 68th minute, Brown scored his fifth goal on his World Cup debut, followed in the 78th minute by Undav, who made it 6-1, whilst in the 88th minute Havertz completed his brace to make it 7-1.
Germany put on a masterclass: superior technical quality, a high tempo and a wide variety of attacking options. After a brief spell of uncertainty following the Caribbean side’s equaliser, Nagelsmann’s team stepped up a gear and dominated both in possession and in attack, with Musiala and Wirtz providing the inspiration and Havertz proving decisive in front of goal.
Curaçao, making their World Cup debut, felt the gap in quality but held their own. Dick Advocaat’s side – led by the oldest manager in the tournament’s history – showed organisation and spirit, managing to strike on the counter-attack and still make history with Comenencia’s goal, delighting the island’s 150,000 inhabitants, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.
