Germany Crush World Cup Debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston

Germany began their 2026 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao at Houston Stadium on Sunday . Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the 6th minute, combining with Florian Wirtz before firing into the far corner .

Curacao stunned the four-time champions in the 21st minute when Livano Comenencia’s deflected effort beat Manuel Neuer to level the score at 1-1, giving the Caribbean nation their first-ever World Cup goal . The celebration was short-lived.

Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead with a header from a corner in the 38th minute, and Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Felix Nmecha was fouled in the box . The score was 3-1 at the break.

Germany poured on the pressure after halftime. Jamal Musiala scored in the 47th minute, Nathaniel Brown added a volley in the 68th, Deniz Undav struck in the 78th, and Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute . The 7-1 victory sends Germany to the top of Group E.

In other Group E action, Ecuador will face Curacao on June 20, while Germany will take on the Netherlands .