Germany survived an early scare against Curacao to launch their 2026 World Cup campaign with a resounding victory. Facing a side ranked 82nd in the world and making their debut at this stage, the pressure was on the four-time champions to win convincingly.
Fast Start Rewarded
After six minutes, Germany were on course when Felix Nmecha's superb curling effort broke the deadlock. However, Curacao weathered the storm and made history in the 22nd minute when Livano Comenencia scored his nation's first-ever World Cup goal with a deflected strike.
That moment and the subsequent hydration break spurred Germany into action. They produced a ruthless display of finishing, with Arsenal's Kai Havertz scoring twice in a 7-1 triumph.
Havertz Shines
Havertz's brace highlighted a clinical performance from the Germans, who showed their class after a brief setback. The victory sets a strong tone for their campaign.
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