Germany 7-1 Curaçao: Nmecha 6, Schlotterbeck 38, Havertz 45 +4 pen, 88, Musiala 47, Brown 68, Undav 78; Comenencia 21
For a moment, Curaçao could relish the feeling of matching Germany on the global stage, a country of less than 200,000 stunning a nation of millions. Livano Comenencia’s equaliser midway through the first half cancelled out Felix Nmecha’s early opener and sparked delirium.
It was only for a fleeting moment. Here Julian Nagelsmann’s side were never going to incur embarrassment that would match any that a German team have ever endured in football history. For much of the game Germany regularly cut through the Caribbean nation’s defence and were denied only by stoic blocks in the penalty area.
But soon enough Nico Schlotterbeck reclaimed the lead before Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Jamal Musiala struck within two minutes of the restart and the result was never again in doubt. However, stronger tests lie ahead for sure, and both Nagelsmann and observers would be in no doubt that Germany will have to improve if they are to claim a fifth World Cup title this summer.
Germany settled quickly and opened the scoring after six minutes. Florian Wirtz combined neatly with Nmecha on the edge of the area, and the midfielder curled a precise first-time finish beyond Elroy Room.
If Germany were superior in quality of play and possession, Curaçao were also far from passive. They threw themselves bravely in front of shots when they needed to, and when they got the ball they played out with confidence, attempting quick, long passes and trying to get shots away.
Their reward arrived in the 21st minute when their European opponents failed to clear a dangerous attack. After Jurgen Locadia’s effort was blocked, Comenencia reacted quickest to drive a low shot through a crowded penalty area, the ball bouncing off the foot of Manuel Neuer’s teammate and beyond the veteran goalkeeper.
Sat on the Curaçao bench was manager Dick Advocaat, who broke the record for oldest coach in a World Cup game with this appearance. Here his side fed off his experience and worked hard to match their illustrious opponents.
But just shortly after the drinks break had served the quarterly commercials necessary to make the World Cup a success, Germany bounced back after Nathaniel Brown’s corner found Schlotterbeck completely unmarked and the defender headed in to restore the advantage.
It went away from there. Nmecha surged into the penalty area shortly before half-time and was brought down by an overeager Richiedly Bazoer. Havertz converted from the spot and Germany could go into the break 3-1 clear.
It was 4-1 after the restart when Joshua Kimmich’s incisive pass released Musiala, who timed his run perfectly before finishing across Room to make it. Brown then crowned an impressive display by volleying home after a clever flick from substitute Deniz Undav, who later added a goal of his own from close range.
Havertz completed the scoring two minutes from time, lifting deftly over Room to secure his second and Germany’s seventh.
