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Editor's note: Follow Germany vs. Curaçao live for scores and highlightsAfter going down a goal early, Curaçao stunned Germany with an equalizer in the first half of their 2026 World Cup opener Sunday.Livano Comenencia scored in the 21st minute to peg back Germany, as Curaçao made history with its first goal in its first ever World Cup.Curaçao entered the match in Houston as a massive underdog, as the smallest nation ever to play in a World Cup both by size and population (around 160,000).And the match appeared to be going according to script when Felix Nmecha scored just six minutes in to give Germany the lead.But Curaçao shocked the Germans, as a loose ball popped out to Comenencia near the top of the box. The 22-year-old saw his shot deflected on its way past Manuel Neuer, who hadn't been tested at all to that point.Germany would regain the lead 17 minutes later, however, as Nico Schlotterbeck headed home from close range off a corner kick. Kai Havertz would then make it 3-1 with a penalty just before halftime.It would get worse from there for the Blue Wave, as Germany scored four more goals in the second half through Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and Havertz, making the final score 7-1.First World Cup for CuraçaoCuraçao made history by reaching this World Cup, qualifying out of Concacaf by finishing first in a group that also contained Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.Their roster is made up of players who have long suited up for Curaçao. Captain Leandro Bacuna, goalkeeper Eloy Room and forward Kenji Gorre are among the players who were part of multiple qualification cycles, while center back Armando Obispo and attacker Tahith Chong are among those who suited up for the first time in 2025 to assist the successful qualification push.The team is led by Dick Advocaat, who became the oldest coach ever at a World Cup at age 78.World Cup standingsExplore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.World Cup groupsGroup A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, CzechiaGroup B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, SwitzerlandGroup C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, ScotlandGroup D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, TurkeyGroup E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, EcuadorGroup F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, TunisiaGroup G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New ZealandGroup H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, UruguayGroup I: France, Senegal, Iraq, NorwayGroup J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, JordanGroup K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, ColombiaGroup L: England, Croatia, Ghana, PanamaWorld Cup key datesGroup Stage: June 11-June 27Round of 32: June 28-July 3Round of 16: July 4-7Quarterfinals: July 9-11Semifinals: July 14-15Third-place game: July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)Final: July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
