2-2 draw for Japan and the Netherlands in World Cup opener for both
Japan and Netherlands end World Cup opener in a thrilling 2-2 draw!
NPR Topics: News1 min read
Havertz sparks Germany's 7-1 rout of Curaçao after underdogs' historic 1st goal in World Cup
TL;DR
Germany defeated Curaçao 7-1 in their World Cup opener, with Kai Havertz scoring two goals. Curaçao made history by scoring their first-ever World Cup goal, tying the match at 1-1 before Germany dominated.
Key points
- Germany won 7-1 against Curaçao in World Cup opener
- Kai Havertz scored two goals for Germany
- Curaçao scored their first-ever World Cup goal
- Match was held in Houston on June 14, 2026
- Curaçao was the smallest country to appear in the tournament
Mentioned in this story
Kai Havertz
GermanyCuraçao
Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates with teammate Jonathan Tah, left, after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Karen Warren/AP
Karen Warren/AP
HOUSTON — Germany's seven-goal rout of Curaçao in its World Cup opener on Sunday was the perfect outcome to overshadow a close first half and boost the team after consecutive group-stage exits for the four-time champions.
Kai Havertz scored two goals as Germany pulled away from World Cup first-timer Curaçao and piled it on in a 7-1 win in group play. The smallest country to ever appear in the tournament hung tight at 1-1 until the 38th minute.
"We really needed this convincing win," coach Julian Nagelsmann said. "We needed this self-confidence. It was there but it definitely grew."
He said Sunday's display was important for the country's fans.
"We have to show them that we can perform and we have to have the confidence," he said. "I think we're in a better spot than we were entering this match."
Livano Comenencia tied it at 1-1 with his left-footed shot through traffic from the center of the box in the 21st minute to give Curaçao its first goal in the tournament and send fans of the tiny Caribbean nation into a frenzy.
"Even though it wasn't me, it felt like it was me, it was all of us, the whole island, everybody," Curaçao's Jearl Margaritha said. "We screamed our lungs out. So we were happy."
It was all Germany after that with the team regaining the lead on Nico Schlotterbeck's header off Nathaniel Brown's corner kick in the 38th.
"One team has very high expectations and the other one doesn't and that's a bit tricky," Nagelsmann said.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Germany vs Curaçao World Cup match?
Germany won the match against Curaçao with a final score of 7-1.
Who scored the goals for Germany in the World Cup opener against Curaçao?
Kai Havertz scored two goals for Germany in their World Cup opener against Curaçao.
When did Curaçao score their first goal in World Cup history?
Curaçao scored their first-ever World Cup goal in the match against Germany on June 14, 2026.
How did Germany perform in their previous World Cup group stages?
Germany faced consecutive group-stage exits in their previous World Cup tournaments before this match.
