Germany secure first opening World Cup victory since 2014
For the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014, Germany have won their opening match at a World Cup.
With the 2026 World Cup now underway, the tournament’s spectacle is impossible to ignore. Massive stadiums, enormous screens, oversized food portions — this is America, and that was unmistakably clear in Houston. Germany played their part by delivering a commanding scoreline.
Their 7-1 triumph over Curacao fell just short of their biggest World Cup victory (8-0 against Saudi Arabia in 2002), but matching the famous scoreline from that iconic 2014 World Cup semifinal provides a boost to a side that has struggled rather than thrived in recent editions of the competition.
After weeks of discussion surrounding Manuel Neuer’s calf injury, the disappointments of Qatar and Russia, and Julian Nagelsmann’s communication style, it was finally time for football.
Inside the air-conditioned, enclosed stadium in Houston, Germany moved the ball through the lines more quickly, found that extra touch sooner, and simply looked like a team ranked 72 places above their opponents.
“You’ve got to score seven goals first,” Nagelsmann said afterwards, commending his team for meeting expectations.
Felix Nmecha impressed in midfield, covering every area of the pitch. His well-taken opener after just five minutes set the tone for Germany. Jürgen Klopp had suggested that perhaps Jamal Musiala shouldn’t start, but the Bayern Munich player looked extremely energetic. There was little evidence of any rust. His agility on the ball was on another level, and his goal following Joshua Kimmich’s excellent pass was the perfect complement to an impressive display.
**A historic equalizer**
Neuer, who became Germany’s oldest ever World Cup player by starting this match, was in for a fairly quiet afternoon. But then Livano Comenencia’s shot struck Kimmich’s knee and flew past him. It was a goal for Curacao, but it also felt like a goal for all smaller nations. The entire Curacao bench jumped to their feet. Their fans were ecstatic. Even though the team eventually faded, their first ever World Cup goal was a historic moment they would cherish forever.
Curacao’s equalizer came just before the drinks break, which itself felt unnecessary given how cool the inside of Houston’s stadium was. For Germany, however, it arrived at the perfect moment. There is talk of the game now feeling more like four quarters than two halves, and if these breaks are here to stay, this was an example of the impact they can have.
Nagelsmann said afterwards that the break came at a good time for his side.
“You need to take a moment to collect yourself,” said Nagelsmann. “I think it’s important to see how the team would handle things after the last two tournaments.”
“The water break actually helped us show the players on the board what we had already prepared for beforehand. We encouraged the team to keep playing the way they did in the first 20 minutes.”
**Germany pull away in the second half**
It didn’t take Germany long to rediscover that rhythm, and eventually Nico Schlotterbeck’s header found its way past Curacao’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room. Kai Havertz’s penalty before the break extended their lead, and then Musiala’s excellent finish soon after the restart saw Germany’s dominance begin to show on the scoreboard.
Perhaps the best news of the day for Nagelsmann was Nathaniel Brown’s performance. In very little time, the Frankfurt defender has made the Germany left-back spot — a position that has long been a problem — his own.
“To score in my first World Cup game is indescribable,” Brown told ARD afterwards.
He assisted Schlotterbeck’s goal and then added Germany’s fifth with a fine volley of his own. This performance explains why Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in Brown. His emergence at this tournament would complete a fairly rapid rise and would be a huge boost for Julian Nagelsmann.
Substitutes Deniz Undav and Kai Havertz added two more as Germany scored every ten minutes on three straight occasions. Seven goals, three points, and the job was done.
And yet, so much about this team remains unknown. Victory over Curacao, however comprehensive, does not make the identity or future of this Germany side any clearer.
“In German, we have a song, the train has no brakes and we try to do that,” Nagelsmann said afterwards.
Well, Germany’s World Cup train has departed on schedule. In Toronto, against the Ivory Coast, we will likely have a much better idea of how long and how far this train will go.
*Edited by: Wesley Dockery*