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Germany opened World Cup Group E with a 7-1 victory over Curacao that lifted pressure and set records. Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav all scored in Houston, while Kai Havertz added two goals as Julian Nagelsmann’s team dominated almost from start to finish.
The heavy defeat also marked a harsh introduction for World Cup debutants Curacao, whose defence struggled against Germany’s movement and finishing. Curacao still had a brief highlight, though, when Livano Comenencia made it 1-1 in the 21st minute, giving the underdogs a short spell of hope before the match turned one-sided again.
Germany’s seven goals in Texas moved the national team to 239 World Cup goals, including matches played as West
Germany. That total took Germany above Brazil’s 238 strikes, making Germany the highest-scoring nation in the competition’s history and underlining the attacking strength that Nagelsmann’s side showed against Curacao.
This victory also stretched Germany’s current winning streak to 10 matches across all competitions. That run equalled Germany’s second-longest series of wins. Germany previously managed a longer sequence only once, when the team put together 12 consecutive victories between 1979 and 1980 during a different era for the national side.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Germany still continued a less positive trend at World Cups. Germany have now gone seven World Cup games without a clean sheet, starting from 2018. That matched Germany’s longest previous run without a shutout at the tournament since 1970, and Germany have only once gone nine matches in succession without preventing a goal.
With their seven goals in their thrashing of Curaao Germany reached 239 goals across the history of the mens World Cup (including games as West Germany) and overtook Brazils tally of 238 to become the all-time leading scorers in the competitions history. pic.twitter.com/Pt5AlLBlIdOpta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 14, 2026
Germany’s strong start gained extra importance because Germany exited at the group phase in both 2018 and 2022. Those early departures increased scrutiny around this campaign, especially from supporters who expected Germany to show clear progress and greater authority from the first match in the United States.
The match also featured a personal landmark for Manuel Neuer. Aged 40 years and 79 days, Neuer became Germany's oldest appearance maker at a major tournament. Neuer overtook Lothar Matthaus, who was 39 years and 91 days old when Matthaus played against Portugal during the Euro 2000 group stage.
| Germany World Cup facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total World Cup goals | 239 (overtook Brazil on 238) |
| Current winning streak | 10 matches (second-longest; record 12 in 1979-1980) |
| Consecutive World Cup games without clean sheet | 7 matches (matched 1970 run) |
| Oldest Germany player at major tournament | Manuel Neuer, 40 years and 79 days |
Germany World Cup reaction from Nagelsmann and Neuer
We really needed this convincing win, Nagelsmann said. We needed this self-confidence. It was there but it definitely grew. We have to show [the fans] that we can perform, and we have to have the confidence. I think were in a better spot than we were entering this match. Given what happened at the last two tournaments in particular, this win is especially important.
One team has very high expectations and the other one doesnt and thats a bit tricky, Nagelsmann added. We are on the right path, but, of course, there are things that we can do better, and we will have stronger opponents.
I think everyone hopes for a good start. In a tournament like this, getting off to a good start is especially important, Neuer said. The substitutes came on and brought great energy to the team. You could see the sense of enjoyment in our play.
Germany World Cup impact on Curacao debut
For Curacao, the scoreline brought unwanted history in their first World Cup match. Curacao became the first debut nation since South Korea in 1954 to concede seven goals in an opening game. The 7-1 result also matched the heaviest defeat suffered by a debuting side since South Korea lost 9-0 to Hungary.
The Curacao coach Dick Advocaat summarised the performance in blunt terms. It wasn't good, said Curacao coach Dick Advocaat. If you lose 7-1, it wasn't good. Germany were simply too strong. The outcome highlighted the gap between the teams, despite Curacao’s brief equaliser in the first half.
Germany left Houston with three points, several individual milestones and a boost after recent tournament struggles. Curacao departed with lessons from facing a four-time world champion, while Germany’s staff and players now focused on stronger upcoming opponents and on maintaining momentum across the remaining Group E fixtures.
