Germany survived a first half scare against Curacao to begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with an emphatic win. Facing a side ranked 82nd in the world and taking part at this stage for the very first time, all the pressure was on Germany to not only win, but do so in convincing fashion.
After six minutes, the four-time winners were well on course to do just that when their fast start was rewarded with a superb curling effort from Felix Nmecha to break 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 effort.
That moment and the subsequent hydration break served to awake Germany and they proceeded to up the quality to produce a ruthless display of finishing with Jamal Musiala, Nico Schlotterbeck , Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz on target twice in a 7-1 victory. Follow the game back below with our dedicated match blog.
Germany vs Curacao latest news
- GOAL! Havertz scores his second of the evening
- GOAL! Undav piles on the misery for Curacao
- GOAL! Brown adds a fifth for Germany
- GOAL! Musiala on target early in second half
- GOAL! Havertz extends Germany's lead from the spot
- GOAL! Schlotterbeck heads Germany back in front
- GOAL! Comenencia equalises for Curacao with historic strike
- GOAL! Nmecha puts Germany ahead inside six minutes
LIVE: Germany vs Curacao
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Statement win from Germany as they thump tournament debutants in Houston.
Kai Havertz with a brace as Jamal Musiala gets on the scoresheet too.
FULL-TIME
19:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Germany 7-1 Curacao.
Germany 7-1 Curacao
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: Into five minutes of stoppage time, does feel harsh on Curacao that.
GOAL! Germany 7-1 Curacao | Kai Havertz ‘88
19:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
88 min: GOALLLLLL
Germany's No7 adds a seventh goal as Kai Havertz lifts the ball over Eloy Room with a wonderful finish.
Germany 6-1 Curacao
19:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
85 min: Nearly a seventh goal for Germany but Room is able to keep out Raum’s effort at his near post.
Germany 6-1 Curacao
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
83 min: More changes for both teams.
Kastaneer replaces Chong for Curacao and Anton enters the fray for Germany.
GOAL! Germany 6-1 Curacao | Deniz Undav ‘78
19:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
78 min: GERMANY HAVE SIX!
Deniz Undav gets in on the act as Germany continue to flex their muscles.
Unselfish play from Joshua Kimmich as he laid the ball on a plate for the substitute.
Germany 5-1 Curacao
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: Margaritha does everything right as he cuts in on to his left. Looks to bend one into the top corner, but can’t keep his effort down. Curacao have had their moments this evening.
Germany 5-1 Curacao
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
73 min: A flurry of changes for Germany following the hydration break.
ON: Rudiger, Raum and Goretzka
OFF: Tah, Brown, Nmecha.
GOAL! Germany 5-1 Curacao | Nathaniel Brown '68
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
68 min: GERMANY SCORE AGAIN!
Nathaniel Brown gets in on the act with his first goal for Germany.
Hold on a minute, was he offside? This is one for VAR.
GOAL STANDS!
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
67 min: GOA....NOOOOO
Leandro Bacuna has the ball in the back of the net, but the goal will not stand because of a clear offside.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
64 min: Changes for both teams.
Undav replaces Musiala for Germany. Margaritha on in place of Locadia for Curacao.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: Chance for Curacao from a set-piece of their own! Antonisse with a good ball in and Leandro Bacuna gets away from his marker but heads over.
At the other end, it’s an astonishing miss from Sane. One-on-one and the winger fails to hit the target.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
59 min: Good idea from Havertz as he attempts to slide in Brown but the ball runs for Room. Germany full-back would have been offside anyway.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
57 min: Five attempts at goal from Wirtz today, but he’s yet to score. Surely he will get several more chances before the game is over.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
54 min: Wirtz! Close! Liverpool star nearly on the scoresheet but is denied by a superb block from Bacuna. Havertz is then denied before Pavlovic shoots over from a decent position.
Germany 4-1 Curacao
19:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
50 min: Quick Germany free-kick catches Curacao sleeping and and Nmecha nips in before his powerful effort is tipped over the bar.
GOAL! Germany 4-1 Curacao | Jamal Musiala ‘47
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: GERMANY SCORE AGAIN!
A flying start to the second half for Germany as Joshua Kimmich picks out Jamal Musiala and the Bayern Munich star finds the corner from an acute angle
Fantastic finish.
Germany 3-1 Curacao
19:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
46 min: Antonisse has replaced Hansen at the break for Curacao.
KICK-OFF
19:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in Houston. The second half is set up nicely as the next goal is so crucial. If Curacao can get it, then it’s game on.
Germany 3-1 Curacao
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Incredible scenes!
Curaçao fans go CRAZY as Comenencia scores FIRST EVER World Cup goal on debut against Germany ⚽️🇨🇼⚽️🇨🇼 pic.twitter.com/hO9bGsa7QP
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Fan reaction: Concern for Curacao
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Feels like that Curaçao goal had angered Germany & they ar going all out to the slaughter them 3-1 HT could be many many more in the 2nd half #GERCUW
— Natural (@CTNatural) June 14, 2026
Germany 3-1 Curacao
18:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Whatever the final result, all connected to Curacao will remember this moment forever!
WHAT A MOMENT FOR CURACAO! 🇨🇼
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Livano Comenencia scores against Germany on their World Cup debut pic.twitter.com/aiyTB7EcE7
Fan thoughts: Havertz on target
18:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Cobra Kai!!! #GERCUW #WorldCup26 #Arsenal
— 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚜 𝙹𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚑 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚜ø (@bansoe) June 14, 2026
Fan reaction: Key moment
18:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
#GERCUW
— Ikenna Onyebuchi (@ikennabuchi) June 14, 2026
The hydration break was timely for Germany.
HALF-TIME
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kai Havertz’s penalty proved to be the final action of an entertaining first half and Germany lead 3-1 against the tournament debutants.
GOAL! Germany 3-1 Curacao | Kai Havertz ‘45+4
18:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+4 min: GOALLLL
Kai Havertz steps up and sends Eloy Room the wrong way to put Germany two goals up on the stroke of half-time.
Long way back for Curacao now.
Germany 2-1 Curacao
18:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+3 min: Decent moment for Curacao comes and goes as Hansen’s effort lacks power. Then at the other end Nmecha goes down in the box and wins Germany a penalty. No arguments from Bazoer.
Germany 2-1 Curacao
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Sloppy play by Curacao in their own box almost costs them a goal but there is a great block in there to keep Germany out.
Four minutes of stoppage time confirmed.
Germany 2-1 Curacao
18:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
44 min: Another Germany corner is imminent. Can Curacao defend this one better?
The answer is no as Schlotterbeck makes first contact at the back post to win yet another corner for the Germans.
Germany 2-1 Curacao
18:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
42 min: Curacao had a player over in acres of space on the right but Juninho Bacuna couldn’t squeeze a pass through.
GOAL! Germany 2-1 Curacao | Nico Schlotterbeck ‘38
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
38 min: GERMANY SCORE!
Germany back in front as Nico Schlotterbeck heads home from a corner.
Curacao had been warned several times about Germany’s threat from set-pieces and that was a free header for the central defender.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
37 min: Tidy feet from Havertz and he wins Germany another corner. Attempts for a quick one are denied by the referee and Brown comes over to take this one.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
35 min: Juninho Bacuna puts one over the bar. Can see what he was attempting there, but just couldn’t keep his effort down.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
32 min: CHANCE! Leroy Sane is in and looks certain to put Germany back in front but Fonville comes from nowhere to keep the ball out of the net. Superb block.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
31 min: Pavlovic lines one up from range but Comenencia throws himself at the shot and concedes another corner which is well defended. Curacao look to break but Chong makes the wrong decision.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
29 min: SAVE!
Fingertip save from Room to tip Schlotterbeck’s header over the bar. Germany with a chance to keep the pressure on from the resulting corner but Room comes and punches clear but Curacao concede a another corner.
Germany 1-1 Curacao
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
23 min: Time for the hydration break, moments before Curacao had a penalty appeal turned down.
GOAL! Germany 1-1 Curacao | Livano Comenencia ‘22
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
22 min: CURACAO SCORE!
The underdogs are level as Livano Comenencia creates history by scoring Curacao's first-ever World Cup goal.
His effort took a deflection, but he will not care.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
20 min: Better from Curacao as they win the ball high in the Germany half and commit a number of players forward. However, the move ends with Leandro Bacuna blasting the ball high and wide.
At the other end, Wirtz gets too much on his cross for Havertz.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
17 min: Not seen a great deal of Kai Havertz so far. The Arsenal forward has come into the game in great form, scoring on his last three starts for either club or country.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 min: Wirtz cuts inside and curls an effort just wide of the far post. Not sure how Germany have not extended their lead yet, Curacao are simply hanging on at present. Still a long way to go though.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
13 min: Nmecha has had at least three attempts in the opening quarter of this World Cup fixture. Would not bet against him getting on the scoresheet again.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
11 min: Germany come forward again as Wirtz is crowded out before Sane has a shot blocked for a corner which is not given.
Germany 1-0 Curacao
18:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
9 min: CLOSE! A great strike from Nmecha from just outside the box narrowly misses the target. Curacao are under the cosh here and you fear it could get ugly if Germany get another goal.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Curacao | Felix Nmecha ‘6
18:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
6 min: GERMANY AHEAD!
Germany open the scoring inside six minutes as Felix Nmecha bends a wonderful effort into the net.
Fastest goal of the tournament so far.
Germany 0-0 Curacao
18:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
4 min: No suggestions that Curacao will be sitting back all game. They are playing with a back four, not a five, and are willing to pour forward when the opportunity presents itself. The counter-attack will be so key.
Germany 0-0 Curacao
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
3 min: First real scare for Curacao and they nearly conceded. Brown powers forward from left-back and plays the ball into a dangerous area but Sane can’t make contact on the stretch.
KICK-OFF!
18:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go in the World Cup group E opener.
Germany vs Curacao LIVE
17:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
And for the first time ever at a World Cup, the Curacao national anthem is sung proudly.
Germany vs Curacao
17:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Before we get underway, it’s time to hear the national anthems for both teams.
First up, Germany.
HERE WE GO!
17:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams are out at the Houston Stadium
Kick-off is next.
Curacao fans take over Houston
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Curacao fans are savouring every moment as they prepare for their World Cup debut.
Kick-off approaching in Houston
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Houston Stadium!
Who is in charge of Curacao?
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
None other than Dick Advocaat.
The Dutchman actually fesigned from his position in February 2026 due to his daughter's health concerns.
However, he returned to the national team after his daughter's health improved.
Around the grounds
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This fixture kicks off the action from Group E as Ivory Coast take on Ecuador in the early hours of Monday morning.
Team news reminder
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is how both teams will line-up today.
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Substitutes: Baumann, Nubel, Raum, Anton, Rudiger, Thiaw, Ouedraogo, Stiller, Goretzka, Amiri, Gross, Undav, Leweling, Woltemade, Beier
Curacao XI: Room; Floranus, Obispo, Bazoer, Fonville; Juninho Bacuna, Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Chong; Locadia, Hansen
Substitutes: Bodak, Doornbusch, Brenet, Van Eijma, Gaari, Sambo, Felida, Martha, Noslin, Roemeratoe, Antonisse, Gorre, Kastaneer, Kuwas, Margaritha
Fan reaction
17:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Manuel Neuer starting a World Cup game at 40 years old against Curaçao. We are living in a completely fake timeline. #WorldCup2026 #GERCUW #Neuer
— ola (@timid__wolf) June 14, 2026
Fan thoughts: Germany prediction
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Germany actually have a solid team. If everyone plays to their potential they can have a deep run in the competition #FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWC26 #GERCUW https://t.co/VhPhk00ty6
— The Midfield Maestro (@theplaymaker__) June 14, 2026
Fan reaction: Curacao support
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
All Curaçao arent we?! 🇧🇦😜 #GERCUW
— Ryan #SaveEngland #SaveTheWest (@RyanM_18_) June 14, 2026
Curacao changes
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plenty of experience from the Dutch league in the Curacao starting XI, and some names that Premier League fans will be familiar with as Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong feature.
Germany changes
17:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Manuel Neuer for Oliver Baumann is the only change to the Germany side that started the 2-1 friendly win over USA.
That means it is the same front four of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz.
Curacao team in full
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Curacao XI: Room; Floranus, Obispo, Bazoer, Fonville; Juninho Bacuna, Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Chong; Locadia, Hansen
Substitutes: Bodak, Doornbusch, Brenet, Van Eijma, Gaari, Sambo, Felida, Martha, Noslin, Roemeratoe, Antonisse, Gorre, Kastaneer, Kuwas, Margaritha
Germany team in full
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Substitutes: Baumann, Nubel, Raum, Anton, Rudiger, Thiaw, Ouedraogo, Stiller, Goretzka, Amiri, Gross, Undav, Leweling, Woltemade, Beier
CONFIRMED CURACAO TEAM
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Introducing the first-ever Curacao World Cup starting XI...
🇨🇼 Our starters for today #TheBlueWave #Curaçao pic.twitter.com/PmrHAJfxVu
— Curaçao National Football Team (@TheBlueWaveFFK) June 14, 2026
CONFIRMED GERMANY TEAM
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is the Germany team selected by Julian Nagelsmann...
Für Deutschland! 🖤❤️💛#fifaworldcup #dfbteam 📸 GES, DFB/Thomas Böcker pic.twitter.com/ClvqL6XZSt
— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) June 14, 2026
Germany vs Curacao live - team news imminent
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
World Cup 2026: Red card punishment explained
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
As per FIFA’s ruling, players shown a red card in the 2026 World Cup will receive a one-match suspension, though FIFA does hold the right to impose "further sanctions" if it deems it necessary.
We saw three red cards in the opening game of the tournament, hopefully every player is on their best behaviour this evening.
Curacao make history
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
What a story for Curacao. The smallest nation by population to have ever qualified for a World Cup and their first fixture is none other than the four-time winners.
We have waited for this moment…🇨🇼 pic.twitter.com/4bowvIJBeW
— Curaçao National Football Team (@TheBlueWaveFFK) June 14, 2026
Havertz tipped for World Cup Golden Boot
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kai Havertz has a good chance of winning the World Cup Golden Boot.
This is the view of expert football tipster Mark O’Haire.
O'Haire using Grosvenor Sport's World Cup odds, said: “I'd expect him to get at least four goals in this competition, and if he gets to that in the group stages, particularly after playing Curacao, he's going to be a contender for the Golden Boot.”
Nagelsmann backs Musiala
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Amid calls to drop Jamal Musiala from the Germany team, Julian Nagelsmann has given the Bayern Munich his backing.
He said: "Jamal is ready for the starting eleven. He still has a few steps to take – but he can only take them if we let him play and give him game time.
“He simply hasn't had that rhythm for a long time, but thankfully he's been playing more with us recently. We have complete faith in him.
“I absolutely agree with Lothar on that. We have to give him playing time, and he'll get that [against Curacao].”
Curacao squad
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak, Trevor Doornbusch, Eloy Room
Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer, Joshua Brenet, Roshon Van Eijma, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Shurandy Sambo
Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Kevin Felida, Ar'Jany Martha, Tyrese Noslin, Godfried Roemeratoe
Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse, Tahith Chong, Kenji Gorre, Sontje Hansen, Gervane Kastaneer, Brandley Kuwas, Jurgen Locadia, Jearl Margaritha.
Predicted Germany XI
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
With the pressure on Germany to perform better at this tournament after previous poor showings, Julian Nagelsmann will be keen for his side to get off to a flying start against a relative unknown quantity.
The good news for Nagelsmann is that he has the luxury of naming his strongest possible team with no fresh injury concerns after losing Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl to a muscle tear sustained before the tournament.
Aleksandar Pavlovic is set to be partnered by Felix Nmecha in central midfield, providing support to an interchangeable trio of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane behind the striker, Kai Havertz.
Predicted Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz.
Today's settings
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The NRG Stadium, currently known as Houston Stadium, will, today, host the first of seven matches at the 2026 World Cup.
This stadium opened in August 2002, has a capacity of 72,220 and has a retractable roof.
Germany vs Curacao latest match odds
16:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Germany to win: 1/33
Curacao to win: 35/1
Draw: 16/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This will be the first-ever meeting between Germany and Curacao at any level.
Score prediction
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
On paper, this fixture should only go one way. The FIFA World Rankings also suggests there is one clear favourite, but strange things can happen in a World Cup opener.
That said, we expect Germany to seal a comfortable victory here - even if Curacao show plenty of spirit.
Germany to win, 2-0.
Curacao team news
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Leandro Bacuna, formerly of Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff and Watford, is expected to captain Curacao on their World Cup debut, winning his 73rd cap in the process.
Tahith Chong, Riechedly Bazoer and Jurgen Locadio should all feature too.
Germany team news: Neuer boost
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Manuel Neuer is expected to be available for selection as Germany face Curacao in their 2026 World Cup opener.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper suffered a calf injury in the final Bundesliga match of the season, forcing him to sit out both pre-tournament friendlies against Finland and the United States.
In his absence, Oliver Baumann got the nod in between the sticks ahead of Alexander Nubel and is on standby to start the Group E opener.
However, Neuer is winning his battle after returning to full training and is likely to make his return to international football having reversed his retirement decision following Euro 2024.
How to watch
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 5pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX app or the ITV website.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Germany vs Curacao LIVE
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Germany vs Curacao.
Day four of the 2026 World Cup is here as action from Group E gets underway with a real David vs Goliath showdown as the four-time champions take on the tournament debutants.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 6pm BST from the Houston Stadium. Stick with us!
