FIFA World Cup

GER Germany Germany - CUW Curacao Curacao

Germany Germany

Curacao Curacao

Houston Stadium(68,021 Spectators)

Jalal Jayed

Full-time: Germany 7-1 Curaçao

Germany get off to the perfect start in Houston with an emphatic 7-1 victory. They started the second half perfectly with a goal from Musiala, who is looking more and more like his old self. After that, the German team eased off the gas but maintained control. As the game wore on, Curaçao ran out of steam, and Germany extended their lead with a further three goals. Substitute Undav had an excellent late cameo, and will surely have a big role to play off the bench this summer. One game, one win. Next up for Germany: Ivory Coast in Toronto.

End of second half

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Goretzka off balance

Raum finds the run of Havertz, who lays the ball back to Goretzka inside the Curaçao box. However, the soon-to-be-former Bayern Munich player is slightly off balance and can't get a shot off.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be an additional five minutes of play.

Havertz at the double!

This scoreline sounds familiar. Havertz is played through on goal by the impressive Undav and beautifully lifts the ball over the onrushing Room to bag Germany's seventh goal. Nagelsmann's side have put on an exhibition in the second half.

88'

Kai Havertz

GOAL!

7:1

Assist:D. Undav

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

11 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

15.36 m

Undav continues red hot form

He has scored for the seventh time in the last seven games for the German national team, although this is his first in a major international tournament.

83'

Changes from both managers

Anton is on for the final few minutes, while Kastaneer has replaced former Bremen man Chong for Curaçao.

83'

Substitution

Waldemar Anton

Joshua Kimmich

83'

Substitution

Gervane Kastaneer

Tahith Chong

Undav finds the net!

The substitute has his first World Cup goal! Kimmich is initially very unselfish in the Curaçao box, pulling the ball back to Undav in a better position, and the Stuttgart forward is able to squeeze the ball past the defender on the goal line and into the back of the net. Can Germany get a seventh?

78'

Deniz Undav

GOAL!

6:1

Assist:J. Kimmich

Goal probability

34 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

7.27 m

76'

Not far away from Margaritha

The Curaçao sub has space to run into down the left channel. He gets to the edge of the Germany box and shoots just over the crossbar.

74'

Triple change from Nagelsmann

Raum, Goretzka and Rüdiger are all on for Germany, with Brown, Nmecha and Tah making way.

73'

Substitution

David Raum

Nathaniel Brown

73'

Substitution

Leon Goretzka

Felix Nmecha

73'

Substitution

Antonio Rüdiger

Jonathan Tah

71'

Second hydration break

The game is back underway following Brown's goal and the hydration break. Nagelsmann is set to make some more changes by the looks of it...

Striker's finish from Brown!

It's a terrific strike from the Frankfurt full-back. Substitute Undav cleverly flicks the ball into the path of Brown, who volleys it first time into the bottom right corner of the net. Germany have five, and Brown has his first international goal!

68'

Nathaniel Brown

GOAL!

5:1

Assist:D. Undav

Goal probability

17 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.53 m

Here comes Undav

The Stuttgart forward is on for the final 30 minutes, replacing goalscorer Musiala. Undav's record in front of goal for Germany is impressive, as he has scored six goals from his nine caps to date.

65'

Substitution

Jearl Margaritha

Jürgen Locadia

64'

Substitution

Deniz Undav

Jamal Musiala

62'

Free kick opportunity

Juninho Bacuna picks out his brother, Leandro, in the penalty area with a pin-point free kick. The Curaçao midfielder's header is too high to trouble Neuer, however.

60'

Brown is almost in

Havertz plays Brown in behind the Curaçao backline, but Room is there to sweep up and collect the ball. Meanwhile, a Mexican Wave is currently making it's way around Houston Stadium...

Musiala breaks his World Cup duck

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Musiala had 10 shots but didn't score. Now, he can finally celebrate his first World Cup goal.

54'

Curaçao struggling this half

The gulf in quality is starting to show now, as the German attackers are queuing up to try and score. Wirtz tries to wriggle free inside the Curaçao box and get a shot off, but his effort is blocked. Moments later, Havertz suffers a similar fate from slightly further out.

50'

Nmecha hits the bar!

It was very nearly 5-1. Nmecha collects a loose ball on the right side of the Curaçao box and unleashes a rasping shot. Room gets a fingertip to the ball and just about manages to turn it onto the crossbar.

Musiala makes it 4-1!

We're barely 30 seconds into the second half, but already, Germany have found the back of the net. Kimmich threads a lovely through-ball into the path of Musiala, who slots it home clinically from a tight angle. That should put the result beyond any doubt.

47'

Jamal Musiala

GOAL!

4:1

Assist:J. Kimmich

Goal probability

14 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

12.63 m

46'

Second half gets going

The match is back underway in Houston. Germany are unchanged for the second period, but Curaçao have opted to replace Hansen with Antonisse.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 6

Substitution

Jeremy Antonisse

Sontje Hansen

3:31

Watch: What makes Nmecha so good?

Half-time: Germany 3-1 Curaçao

Die Nationalelf lead at the break thanks to goals from Nmecha, Schlotterbeck and Havertz. They had to rally after Comenencia's 21st-minute strike, but that moment aside, Nagelsmann's men have generally impressed and been enjoyable to watch in the final third. Germany are 45 minutes away from their first win in a World Cup opener since 2014.

Half-time

Havertz buries it!

Germany have a third goal from the penalty spot! Havertz keeps his composure and sends Room the wrong way, rolling the ball into the empty left corner of the net. The four-time World Cup winners now have a cushion heading into the break.

45'

+ 5

Kai Havertz

GOAL!

3:1

Penalty

Goal probability

77 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

11 m

45'

+ 3

Penalty Germany!

Goalscroer Nmecha is brought down by former Wolfsburg man Bazoer after some nice footwork inside the area. Havertz will step up to take the spot-kick...

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be an additional four minutes of play before the break. Can Germany score a third?

42'

Well deserved advantage

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Germany are good value for their two goals, as the xG values demonstrate.

xGoals

1.57

0.17

Goals

41'

Ominous sign?

The last time Germany scored from a corner kick at a World Cup was in their 7-1 victory over Brazil in 2014.

Schlotti restores Germany's lead!

Havertz wins a corner kick after an attempted cross, with Brown coming over to take it from the right side. Schlotterbeck times his run to perfection, heading into the corner of the net from a few yards out. It's a well-worked routine from Germany, who have responded well to Curaçao's earlier goal.

38'

Nico Schlotterbeck

GOAL!

2:1

Assist:N. Brown

Goal probability

32 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

5.71 m

34'

Last gasp block denies Sané

The winger is played though on goal and pulls the trigger, seemingly with just the keeper to beat. However, a Curaçao defender comes from nowhere to make a potentially goal-saving block.

32'

Can Germany start to make their possession count?

They are dominating the ball but so far have only one goal to show for it.

Passes

221

30'

Shot blocked!

It's patient build up play from Germany again, with the ball eventually being pulled back for Pavlović inside the Curaçao box. His goal-bound shot is well blocked, meaning Germany will have another corner.

28'

Room saves from Schlotterbeck

Kimmich whips in a perfect corner to the far post, where Schlotterbeck is waiting. The BVB defender heads the ball powerfully on target, but Room makes a decent stop and turns the ball away for another corner.

26'

Hydration break

What a dramatic first 25 minutes that was. Nagelsmann has three minutes with his players to try and get their minds refocused after the equalising goal. Play is back underway.

Curaçao equalise!

The warning signs have been there for Germany in the last few minutes, and now Curaçao have capitalised. They launch a swift counter again, and with Schlotterbeck unable to clear the ball completely, it falls at the feet of Comenencia. His shot is deflected by Kimmich, leaving Neuer with little chance to react and keep it out. 1-1 - game on.

21'

Livano Comenencia

GOAL!

1:1

Goal probability

11 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

16.98 m

17'

First Curaçao shot

The Caribbean side are starting to enjoy some possession for the first time. Tah carelessly loses the ball during Germany's build-up play. After a few attempted blocks, Bacuna's shot sails over the goal.

13'

One way traffic so far

Germany continue to dominate the ball after their fast start. Their latest chance sees Wirtz try his luck from range. The Liverpool star attempts a curling shot from the left edge of the Curaçao box, but his shot doesn't curl enough to go on target.

Nmecha tries his luck again...

The German midfielder is bursting with confidence today. He has another sighter at goal from just outside the penalty area, but this time, the ball whizzes just wide of the far post.

Germany lead!

What a hit that is by Nmecha! Germany capitalise on their strong start in some style, with Wirtz cleverly laying the ball into the path of Nmecha on the edge of the Curaçao box. The Dortmund man hits it first time and finds the far corner of the net - leaving the motionless keeper with no chance. Germany have lift off!

Felix Nmecha

GOAL!

1:0

Assist:F. Wirtz

Goal probability

10 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

16.67 m

Sharp from Brown

The left-back is off to a good start, bursting into the Curaçao box with intent. The ball is eventually cleared away after an attempted cut-back.

We're underway!

Germany's World Cup campaign is up and running. Nagelsmann's side are in their black and white home kit, while Caraçao are playing in blue and yellow.

Kick-off!

Here come the anthems...

With all 26 players from each squad gathered at the centre circle, the respective national anthems are now taking place. We're moments away from kick-off.

"Quite pleasant" stadium conditions

Under the roof in Houston, the temperature has dropped to a comfortable 21°C. "It's not cold, but it's not as hot as outside either. It's quite pleasant," Nagelsmann said to ARD ahead of kick-off.

Captain Kimmich

The Bayern man captains Germany for their World Cup opener. This is his 111th international appearance, but he still has a long way to go before he reaches Lothar Matthäus' national record of 150 caps.

Bundesliga experience

Three former Bundesliga players in the form of Locadia (Bochum), Chong (Bremen) and Bazoer (Wolfsburg, pictured) are in Curaçao's starting XI today.

More on that Curaçao team

Dick Advocaat has made just one change from the side that lost 4-1 to Scotland in a recent World Cup warm-up match, with Middlesbrough's Hansen replacing Gaari. Former Bochum striker Locadia leads the line for Curaçao.

More on that Germany team

Neuer returns in goal for Germany after recent fitness issues, replacing Baumann, who started both of the side's World Cup warm-up matches against Finland and the US. Elsewhere, Nagelsmann selects the same side that faced the latter a week ago, meaning the likes of Goretzka and Raum are on the bench.

Starting line-up: Curaçao

Curaçao subs

Sambo, Gaari, van Eijma, Roemeratoe, Antonisse, Noslin, Gorré, Martha, Margaritha, Kuwas, Kastaneer, Brenet, Felida, Bodak, Doornbusch

Starting line-up: Germany

Germany subs

Rüdiger, Anton, Goretzka, Leweling, Woltemade, Baumann, Groß, Beier, Stiller, Amiri, Nübel, Raum, Thiaw, Ouédraogo, Undav

Today's venue

Houston Stadium, also known as NRG Stadium outside the World Cup, hosts Germany’s opening Group E match against Curaçao. The 72,000-capacity venue in Houston, Texas, features a retractable roof and is the home of NFL franchise the Houston Texans.

0:44

Watch: Germany squad arrives in Houston

Pavlović on playing alongside Nmecha

"It’s great fun playing with Felix. We get on really well on and off the pitch. I love linking up with him. He’s a top, top footballer who does really good work both going forward and defensively. Those quick little passing moves we have every now and then are probably the best bit. I really enjoy playing with him."

Nagelsmann on facing Curaçao

"Curaçao aren't entering the tournament as a favourite - that makes them dangerous. 90 percent of the team has played in the Netherlands' youth teams. They all have good training and are skilled with the ball, so they can go into the tournament carefree and without any pressure."

Schlotterbeck excited by camp atmosphere

"What I currently see from us, how we train together, support each other, how much we do together off the pitch – I would say that is the best team energy since I became a national player. Hopefully, this will translate onto the pitch, because it will motivate everyone to go the extra mile to support their teammates."

Confirmed starters

Julian Nagelsmann already claimed that Manuel Neuer will start in goal against Curaçao, but Germany's head coach also confirmed that Nathaniel Brown - two days before his 23rd birthday - will make his World Cup debut: "He will play and start in this beautiful stadium."

Moroccan man in the middle

39-year-old Jalal Jayed from Morocco is to officiate, with his countrymen Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad to assist him. South Africa's Abongile Tom is to act as a fourth official.

1:56

Watch: Deniz Undav's pre-Curaçao press conference

Hear what the VfB Stuttgart forward had to say ahead of Germany's opening game.

Deniz Undav on facing Curaçao

"The excitement is rising. Everyone is eager for the first game, and the focus is there. Everyone is at 100 percent! After the World Cup win in 2014, I was out there driving around and honking the horn, and we would like to offer the fans the chance to do exactly the same thing again."

Karl: "I had such high hopes"

"I'll definitely be cheering them on and keeping my fingers crossed for the team. I'm convinced that the team will give it their all and have a great World Cup," explained Karl, who told Bild about the moment he picked up the injury: "It happened while I was shooting. I felt it immediately. It was quite a shock for me as I had such high hopes and was in good shape."

The Blue Wave's Bundesliga past

Riechedly Bazoer (pictured), Tahith Chong, Joshua Brenet and Jürgen Locadia have all had brief stints in German football. Bazoer made 27 appearances for Wolfsburg between 2017-2019, while both Brenet and Locadia turned out for Hoffenheim, with Locadia also representing Bochum. Chong spent time on loan at Werder Bremen in the 2020/21 season.

Völler on Germany's preparations

"We won both [warm-up] games and got into a good rhythm. Sometimes it's not so bad if a few things aren't working perfectly yet – so we're prepared for the first game. We saw that against the Finns, and it was a bit tougher against the Americans. The win was deserved, but you could see that we conceded one or two too many chances and didn't press quite enough. We can still improve on that. This is an important week of training. We'll be fired up for the first game. You can tell at breakfast and dinner – they'd love to start right now."

Völler outlines Germany's World Cup goals

National team director Rudi Völler explained Germany's objective ahead of their opening game. "We want to finish top of our group and then hold our own in the knockout stage. We'll be tough to beat – and that's saying something. As the last few World Cups have taught us, the longer a tournament lasts, the more it turns out that things don't always go the way many experts predict at the start of a major tournament."

Ouédraogo on World Cup call-up

Assan Ouédraogo was a late replacement for Lennart Karl following his injury, and he told the press on Wednesday about how he found out. "I was actually lying on the lounger, just chilling out, how should I put it. Then the national coach called, and I went from zero to 180 in an instant. I ran around the corner so no one would hear me. He told me he'd like to call me up as a replacement. I was incredibly happy about that. And then he asked me if I was drunk. But I don't drink anyway. So I said, 'Nope, everything's fine.' And then I flew straight over."

Raum backs Brown

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Leipzig's David Raum discussed the competition to be Germany's starting left-back. following the emergence of Nathaniel Brown at Eintracht Frankfurt. "He plays a very attacking role for Frankfurt, constantly moving inside like we do here with the national team. He does that brilliantly." Raum said. "Whenever he's come in for me, he's done a great job. That's how I approach it. If he starts, I'll obviously help him out."

Germany squad to cover bus costs

For Germany's final Group E game against Ivory Coast, the squad will pay the travel of 600 fans to the game in East Rutherford. The offer is open to Germany fan club supporters.

0:21

Watch: Schlotterbeck - Germany's new striker?

0:23

Watch: Silky skills from Pavlović

0:30

Watch: Returning Neuer delights locals

Germany fans in North Carolina made the most an open training session featuring Manuel Neuer on Tuesday.

Did you know?

Veteran coach Dick Advocaat's CV is too lengthy to go through here, including three spells as Netherlands coach alone. Not so many recall the 78-year-old Curaçao boss's time in the Bundesliga as Borussia Mönchengladbach coach for the best part of the 2004/05 season.

Goretzka's keys for World Cup success

"We need to grow together as a team and better understand what the person next to us is doing on the pitch," the Bayern midfielder told FIFA.com. "I believe that physicality will also play a major role. I played in the Club World Cup last year, so I know the conditions will be extreme. That will certainly be a factor, and that’s why we’ll have to be in peak condition. And then, just as in every tournament, luck will of course be a big factor. If everything comes together, then we really can go far."

0:42

Watch: Germany 'feeling good' ahead of Curaçao opener

Home comforts?

As the designated home team in Sunday's Group E opener, Germany will wear white against Curaçao in Houston.

Baumann keeping head up

Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann put in another good performance as deputy to Neuer in a 2-1 friendly win over the USA on Saturday. He has spoken about his disappointment at dropping down the pecking order but has earned praise from Julian Nagelsmann, who said: "Oliver is a great sportsman. He has gone beyond himself and is handling it incredibly. We are delighted to have him."

Ageing like a fine wine

Germany's Neuer will be the sixth oldest player at the tournament. On the opening night, he will be 40 years and 76 days.

Germany in title-winning form?

Nagelsmann's Germany have now recorded nine consecutive wins, which is their best since recording 12 in a row in 1980. That year, they went on to win the Euros.

Neuer set to start World Cup opener

Nagelsmann confirmed to German broadcaster RTL that Neuer will start Germany's curtain-raiser against Curaçao on 14 June. He said: "He will now enter team training when we arrive in Winston-Salem, as planned, and then play against Curaçao."

How they warmed up: Germany

Germany's World Cup preparations have been pretty smooth, with the only blemish being the injury that has ruled Lennart Karl out of the tournament. In their two friendlies, Germany beat Finland 4-0 and World Cup co-hosts the USA 2-1.

How they warmed up: Curaçao

Curaçao have played two friendlies in the last couple of weeks in preparation for the World Cup. In their first, they were beaten 4-1 by Scotland, but they were leading 1-0 through Chong's goal before a red card for Jürgen Locadia tipped the game firmly in Scotland's favour. In their second warm-up game, they beat Caribbean neighbours Aruba 4-0.

How they got here: Curaçao

After topping their second-round qualifying group with a 100 percent record, Curaçao were drawn alongside Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Bermuda in their third-round group. Three wins and two draws from their first five games meant they needed only a point in their final qualifier against the Reggae Boyz to progress, with a 0-0 draw in Kingston confirming their place at the finals.

How they got here: Germany

Germany were beaten by Slovakia in their opening qualifier, but responded with five straight wins in Group A, which also contained Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. They booked their place at the tournament in style, thrashing Slovakia 6-0 in their final fixture thanks to goals from Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané (2), Ridle Baku and Assan Ouédraogo.

Who are Curaçao?

With a population of only 156,000, Curaçao are the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup finals. They are captained by Leandro Bacuna, who made over 100 Premier League appearances for Cardiff City and Aston Villa between 2013 and 2019, while former Werder Bremen winger Tahith Chong is also in their squad.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E fixture between Germany and Curaçao.