Germany Hit Seven as Curaçao Make History in Houston
Germany overwhelmed Curaçao 7-1 in their Group E opener at NRG Stadium, with Kai Havertz scoring twice, though the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup grabbed a goal of their own.
G ermany began their World Cup with a 7-1 rout of Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston, a ruthless Group E display that still left room for the smallest nation ever to qualify to write its own piece of history.
Early flurry
Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the 6th minute. Curaçao stunned the favourites when Livano Comenencia levelled in the 21st, the nation’s first ever World Cup goal. Germany regained control through Nico Schlotterbeck in the 38th and a Kai Havertz penalty in first-half stoppage time to lead 3-1 at the break.
Second-half flood
Jamal Musiala struck within two minutes of the restart to make it 4-1. Nathaniel Brown added the fifth in the 68th, Deniz Undav the sixth in the 78th, and Havertz completed his brace in the 88th to finish the scoring at 7-1.
History for Curaçao
Curaçao arrived as the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, and Comenencia’s equaliser, however briefly it lasted, gave the Caribbean side a moment to treasure in front of 68,021.
Reporting: based on official FIFA match data and reports from FIFA and ESPN, June 14, 2026.