Die Folgen: Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao (Bavarian Football Works)
Germany knew that it had a massive advantage over Curaçao in the World Cup opener for both teams.
The Germans did not need to do anything fancy, just take care of business — and despite an early scare, Die Mannschaft did just that with a dominant 7-1 victory over the Blue Wave. Let’s dive into the details of the game, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- The lineup was exactly as expected. There were no surprises.
- Germany started out with a high press to try and take Curaçao off of its game and it did appear to work, but The Blue Wave also came out with some good energy.
- Even with the excitement of the game, it was clear that Germany was going to be too good for the island nation.
- Germany jumped on Curaçao early as a nice little pass from Florian Wirtz set up Felix Nmecha to hit a banger and give Die Mannschaft a 1-0 lead in just the 6th minute. It was a great shot from the Borussia Dortmund man.
- Germany was just relentless and dominating Curaçao. There were several near-misses, including one from Wirtz in the 14th minute that just went outside the post.
- Germany was so dominant that it actually fell into a bit of a lull and allowed Curaçao a few exciting moments — The Blue Wave took advantage.
- Curaçao’s Livano Comenencia took advantage of the chaos and ripped a nice shot that appeared to take a deflection and just evaded Neuer enough to get into the net. All of a sudden, it was a game and Julian Nagelsmann might have started to sweat a little more.
- It is hard to really quantify how great that had to feel for Curaçao, who — 100% — deserved that goal.
- Germany seemed to get very tight after giving up the goal.
- Nico Schlotterbeck had a strong header in the 28th minute, but it was saved. That would prove to be something to take note of.
- In the 38th minute, Nathaniel Brown’s corner delivery found Schlotterbeck, who did not miss this time and made it 2-1. With that goal, a country exhaled.
- Germany was targeting Schlotterbeck and his aerial prowess with set plays designed to free him up — almost using picks like the Germans were running a motion offense in basketball.
- Right before halftime, there was a crazy sequence of blocked shots by Curaçao. There was no way that the Blue Wave was going to be able to handle that pressure for the rest of the game. It just felt like a matter of time before Germany really opened the game up.
- That said, Curaçao did expose Germany’s inability to deal with counter-attacks, something that more complete opponents will be able to exploit.
- A penalty was awarded right before halftime as Nmecha was fouled in the box. Kai Havertz stepped to the spot and made it 3-1, which had to give Germany fans some reassurance that it was going to be okay.
- The scars of the last two World Cups had one goal from Curaçao had it feeling like it was 5-0 in favor of the Blue Wave.
- For Bayern Munich fans, Brown can play…legitimately. Alphonso Davies has real competition, ladies and gentlemen.
- Germany wasted no time in the second half as Joshua Kimmich found Jamal Musiala, who was making a terrific diagonal run in from the right side. From there, the Bayern star ripped off a great, tough angle finish to make it 4-1. What a great goal for Musiala!
- To totally beat a dead horse, it was the exact kind of play he could routinely make if he was playing right wing.
- In the 63rd minute, Sane gave fans his whole experience in one play — a perfectly timed run, a touch that very few players could make, a 1v1 situation, and a shot way wide of the mark. In a different game, that play could make the difference. Like a few other players (Wirtz and Aleksandar Pavlović namely), Sané’s finishing betrayed him. It was a great ball in from Jonathan Tah as well.
- Sané could be the most divisive figure on the squad among fans, but this performance likely will not change anyone’s mind who wanted him to come off the bench.
- Brown would add to his growing legend with a goal in the 68th minute. David Raum is never getting hat starting job back.
- Deniz Undav had the assist on Brown’s goal. Did Nagelsmann punt a water bottle? We kid, we kid.
- Undav would go on to add a goal for himself, which came as a product of some really unselfish play from his teammates. Kudos to Germany on that play. Kimmich had the assist.
- Havertz would add a very pretty goal off of a nice through ball from — you guessed it — Undav to make it 7-1.
- Overall, it was a very positive start for Germany, but it is important to keep it in perspective. Curaçao is not at the level of the other teams that Germany will play from this point forward. Crushing the Blue Wave is exactly what Germany needed and should have done. Nagelsmann and his squad deserve praise for taking care of business and doing it with some flair. Now, the real tests are up and Germany should be ready.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards,
Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Bayern would need to sell defender to get involved with Vušković (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Right now, there is no indication that Bayern Munich will actually make a move for the (maybe) suddenly available Luka Vušković. Nor is there any confirmation that Tottenham Hotspur will really sell the Croatian defender.
However, if he does become available — and Bayern Munich can sell Kim Min-jae and Hiroki Itō, it is not inconceivable that Bayern Munich makes an attempt to get a longtime target:
Luka Vušković is really highly rated on Bayern Munich’s shortlist. In the past, there were talks with the defender’s management in terms of the possibility of signing him. But at the moment, Bayern are not in the driver’s seat. They can’t offer a concrete deal, as they don’t have enough money for another defender and they already have enough defenders themselves. Unless they sell someone, it’s getting difficult.
Brighton is rumored to be offering €30 million for Vušković, which likely will not get the deal done. That could buy the Bavarians some time to put together a better bid.
Gunners could make play for Koné (ESPN)
Arsenal might attempt to bring in AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné:
Arsenal are considering a move to sign AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné, says L’Équipe. Koné, 25, has impressed at Roma, but the Italian side need to comply with UEFA’s fair play regulations and let some players leave. A fee of around €40m is reported to be enough to persuade them into letting the France international go, while Inter Milan are also rumored to be interested.
Bayern still in on Read (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Despite reports to the contrary, Bayern Munich might not be done with Feyenoord’s Givairo Read:
✅ It is TRUE: Givairo Read is still very much in Bayern’s thinking. He’s still on the list, but bear in mind that Nathaniel Brown’s arrival would complicate matters. The Frankfurt star will cost a lot of money, and he can also play at right-back and in central defence. At that point, there’s no money left for another player on the wings.
United has Hall, Robinson on its list (ESPN)
Manchester United is looking closely at Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson for the left-back position:
Manchester United have short-listed Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson as options to sign at left back, according to Sky Sports. United are in the market for a left back this summer, with competition needed for 30-year-old Luke Shaw after Tyrell Malacia’s exit and Patrick Dorgu being used further up the pitch. The club has been tracking Hall for a while, though Newcastle reportedly want a fee upward of £60m. Meanwhile, USMNT defender Robinson is entering the final two years of his contract at Fulham, with managerial uncertainty playing a potential factor in any move, and he could be available for less.
Bayern likely just cost LFC some money (Football Insider)
Bayern Munich’s interest in Liverpool FC winger Rio Ngumoha might have cost Liverpool some money as it will have to expedite getting a new contract together for him:
Liverpool are planning to urgently agree a new contract with Rio Ngumoha as soon as he turns 18 amid huge Bayern Munich interest, sources have told Football Insider.
Recent reports have claimed that Ngumoha is Bayern’s main target for left wing ahead of the summer transfer window.
He burst onto the scene at Liverpool last term and signed his first professional contract weeks after he turned 17 last September.
The Reds have no plans to sell him this summer, despite rumours that the teenage star was dissatisfied with his game time under Arne Slot.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
