Germany comprehensively beat Curacao 7-1 in their 2026 World Cup opener.
Inside the cool, closed Houston stadium, Germany overcame a first-half equalizer to eventually ease past their Caribbean opponents. It was the first time since 2014, when Germany won the tournament, that they won their opening World Cup game.
Curacao were cheered on by rousing fans covered in blue, and even in defeat the smallest ever nation to qualify for the World Cup had a moment of history to enjoy.
Curacao fans cheered on their team with great passionImage: Phil Noble/REUTERS
After Felix Nmecha gave Germany the lead just five minutes in, Livano Comenencia's deflected strike drew the team nicknamed "The Blue Wave" level. The historc equalizer - Curacao's first ever World Cup goal - brought jubilant scenes among the fans in blue. Manuel Neuer looked displeased at conceding, but the Bayern Munich keeper still broke a record as he became the oldest ever German player at a World Cup (age 40).
