Germany vs Curaçao

Germany needed just six minutes to produce the tournament's earliest goal. Florian Wirtz, the creative heartbeat of Julian Nagelsmann's new-look side, crafted space with a silky touch before releasing Felix Nmecha, who curled a delightful effort beyond Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room from the edge of the box. It was a goal of genuine class — and a statement of intent.

But Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to grace a World Cup finals — a Caribbean island of just 171 square miles and 155,000 inhabitants — refused to wilt. In the 21st minute, Livano Comenencia wrote his name into Blue Wave folklore. The Zurich midfielder picked up possession 20 yards from goal and unleashed a left-footed drive that took a deflection off Jonathan Tah, looping past the great Manuel Neuer — appearing in his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, surpassing Lothar Matthäus as Germany's oldest ever international.

Comenencia's strike was Curaçao's first ever World Cup goal, and the celebrations from the travelling supporters were visceral, unforgettable. When Jurgen Locadia had a penalty appeal waved away moments later after nipping past Tah, it felt as though the debutants might cause an almighty upset.

A hydration break midway through the first half proved decisive. Nagelsmann gathered his players, reset their focus, and the response was emphatic.

Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany's lead in the 38th minute, meeting Nathaniel Brown's corner with a flashing near-post header that left Room with no chance. The pressure built inexorably, and in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Riechedly Bazoer's rash lunge on Nmecha gave referee István Kovács no choice — penalty. Kai Havertz stepped up and calmly stroked the spot-kick into the bottom corner, giving Germany a 3-1 lead at the break.

If Curaçao harboured hopes of a second-half revival, Jamal Musiala extinguished them within 69 seconds of the restart. Joshua Kimmich, majestic all evening, slipped a perfectly-weighted pass into the Bayern Munich playmaker's path, and Musiala fired an angled finish across Room and into the far corner.

Germany were now in full flow. Wirtz and Musiala interchanged positions with bewildering fluidity, Kimmich dictated from deep, and the debutants simply could not contain the waves of attacks.

Left-back Nathaniel Brown got the goal his performance deserved in the 68th minute, lashing home a volley after a neat flick from substitute Deniz Undav. The Stuttgart forward, introduced just four minutes earlier, was proving a menace. In the 78th minute, Undav swept home Germany's sixth from Kimmich's precise pass — a goal and an assist in a 14-minute cameo.

And there was more. Two minutes from time, Undav turned provider again, sliding Havertz in behind the Curaçao defence. The Arsenal forward, cool as you like, dinked the ball over the advancing Room for his second of the night and Germany's seventh.

The 7-1 scoreline matched Germany's famous semi-final demolition of Brazil on home soil in 2014 — the last time they lifted the trophy. More significantly, it pushed Die Mannschaft past the Seleção as the all-time leading scorers in World Cup finals history with 239 goals.

"It's a start with the seven goals which will just give Germany a bit of confidence, but there are going to be tougher tests to follow," said former England forward Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. "I think this is a tricky group. Ivory Coast and Ecuador to come for Germany — they will be tougher games — but it's a good start for Julian Nagelsmann."

Former Spain midfielder Juan Mata, watching on ITV, added: "They are world-class players. Most of the goals — if not all of them — have great finishes, movement in behind, the pass was perfect weight. This is an example of what Germany can do and the perfect start for them in this World Cup."

After disappointing group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, Germany arrived in the United States somewhat under the radar. Since a 2-0 qualifying defeat in Slovakia last September, however, they have now won 10 straight matches — a run that signals a genuine resurgence.

Nagelsmann has found a system that brings the best out of his gifted attacking trio. Musiala (24), Havertz (26) and Wirtz (23) are entering their prime years together, while Nmecha — once an England youth international — is growing in midfield stature with every appearance. Leroy Sané, introduced from the bench, was guilty of spurning a glorious chance to make it eight when clean through, but the margin of victory flattered no one.

Curaçao, for their part, can hold their heads high. The scoreline does not tell the full story of their competitive first-half display, and Comenencia's historic goal will be remembered long after the final whistle. As one fan wrote to the BBC: "In years to come, Curaçao fans won't remember this result. But they'll always remember that goal and the celebrations."

Group E now continues with Germany facing Ivory Coast while Curaçao will look to bounce back against Ecuador. If this performance is any guide, Nagelsmann's side have the firepower to go a long way in this tournament.

• Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston — Attendance: 68,021
• Half-time: Germany 3-1 Curaçao
• Scorers: Nmecha 6', Comenencia 21', Schlotterbeck 38', Havertz 45'+5 pen, Havertz 88', Musiala 47', Brown 68', Undav 78'
• Assists: Wirtz (Nmecha), Brown (Schlotterbeck), Kimmich (Musiala, Undav), Undav (Brown, Havertz)
• Germany's run: 10 consecutive wins since September 2025
• Record: Germany surpass Brazil (238) as all-time World Cup top scorers (239)