The first-ever meeting between Germany and Curaçao at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was expected to highlight the gulf in class between the two nations. Despite a brief scare in the first half, the footballing giant ultimately proved too strong, with Germany cruising to a commanding 7-1 victory.

Julian Nagelsmann's side wasted little time asserting their dominance. Just six minutes into the contest, a slick one-touch move involving Florian Wirtz carved open the Curaçao defence, allowing Lukas Nmecha to finish brilliantly and give Germany an early lead.

The Germans continued to press relentlessly. Nmecha, Leroy Sané and Wirtz all came close to extending the advantage, but a combination of poor luck and near misses kept the scoreline unchanged.

Against the run of play, Curaçao stunned the favourites with an equaliser. Jearl Comenencia reacted quickest to a loose ball outside the penalty area and fired a powerful effort that took a slight deflection off Joshua Kimmich before beating Manuel Neuer.

The goal served as a wake-up call for Germany. Shortly afterwards, Nico Schlotterbeck forced a superb save from goalkeeper Eloy Room with a powerful header following a free-kick delivery from Kimmich.

The defender would not be denied for long. In the 38th minute, Tom Bischof Braun delivered a corner into the box, and Schlotterbeck rose highest to thunder a header into the net, restoring Germany's lead.

Before the break, matters became even worse for Curaçao. Leandro Bacuna brought down Nmecha inside the penalty area, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Kai Havertz remained ice-cool, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.

Any hopes of a comeback disappeared moments after the restart. Following another perfectly weighted pass from Kimmich, Jamal Musiala cut inside and fired a precise strike into the far corner to give Germany a three-goal cushion.

The floodgates were now fully open. On 68 minutes, Braun capped an impressive display by finishing first-time from a pass by substitute Deniz Undav. Ten minutes later, Undav got on the scoresheet himself, finishing off a flowing team move after yet another contribution from the influential Kimmich.

The final word belonged to Havertz. Released by a perfectly timed through ball from Undav, the Arsenal forward raced clear and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to complete the rout.

World Cup 2026

Germany - Curacao 7:1 (3:1)
Goals: Nmecha F., 6 (1:0); Comenencia, 21 (1:1); Schlotterbeck N., 38 (2:1); Havertz, 45 (penalty) (3:1); Musiala, 47 (4:1); Brown, 68 (5:1); Undav, 78 (6:1); Havertz, 88 (7:1)

Germany: Neuer; Brown (Raum D., 73); Tah J. (Rudiger, 73); Schlotterbeck N.; Pavlovic Al.; Kimmich (Anton, 83); Havertz; Wirtz; Sane L.; Nmecha F. (Goretzka, 73); Musiala (Undav, 64)
Substitution: Undav (from 64); Rudiger (from 73); Goretzka (from 73); Raum D. (from 73); Anton (from 83)
Bench: Baumann; Nübel; Groß; Ouedraogo; Leweling; Stiller; Amiri N.; Thiaw; Woltemade; Beier M.

Curacao: Room; Obispo; Bazoer; Fonville; Floranus; Comenencia; Bacuna J.; Bacuna L.; Hansen S. (Antonisse, 46); Chong (Kastaneer, 83); Locadia (Margaritha, 65)
Substitution: Antonisse (from 46); Margaritha (from 65); Kastaneer (from 83)
Bench: Bodak; Doornbusch; Sambo; Brenet; van Eijma; Gaari J.; Roemeratoe; Felida; Noslin T.; Kuwas; Martha; Gorré