FIFA WC: Seven heaven for Germany! Curacao's dream night turns into World Cup nightmare
Houston, June 15
Germany began their FIFA World Cup campaign in devastating fashion with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao on Sunday, as Felix Nmecha scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far and helped Julian Nagelsmann's side ease to victory in their Group E opener.
The four-time world champions took control from the start and got an early reward. Inside six minutes, Nmecha worked well with Florian Wirtz and curled a powerful shot into the corner. This marked the earliest goal of the tournament.
However, Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup in both size and population, surprised the Germans by equalizing midway through the first half. With around 155,000 residents and just 171 square miles of land, the Caribbean nation gave its fans a moment to remember when Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia made history.
He collected the ball at the edge of the area and unleashed a left-footed shot that took a deflection, getting by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer, who was making his fifth World Cup appearance. Curacao almost built on this momentum when striker Jurgen Locadia unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after getting past Jonathan Tah. Germany regained control after a hydration break allowed them to regroup.
Nagelsmann's team responded with more energy and restored their lead through Nico Schlotterbeck. He glanced a header from Nathaniel Brown's corner past goalkeeper Eloy Room. Pressure kept building, and Germany received a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time after Riechedly Bazoer fouled the impressive Nmecha in the area. Kai Havertz calmly scored from the spot in the fifth minute of added time, putting Germany ahead 3-1 at the break.
Any hopes of a Curacao comeback vanished almost immediately after the second half began. Just 69 seconds in, Jamal Musiala seized Joshua Kimmich's smart pass, outmuscled a defender, and slotted home Germany's fourth goal. The Germans pushed forward, and left-back Nathaniel Brown celebrated his World Cup debut in style by volleying in a goal after a clever flick from substitute Deniz Undav.
Undav then scored himself, sweeping in another assist from Kimmich to make it 6-1. The Stuttgart forward capped an impressive appearance by providing the assist for Germany's seventh goal, setting up Havertz, who delicately lifted the ball over Room two minutes before the final whistle to complete the rout.
— IANS
Reader Comments
7-1 is brutal, but let's be real - Curacao's qualification itself is a fairy tale. Makes you think about how far Indian football still has to go. Our boys would dream of even qualifying once 😅 Still, happy for Curacao's historic moment.
Germany looking vintage again. That Nmecha kid is special - fastest goal of the tournament inside six minutes! But honestly, Curacao's equalizer was the highlight for me. Pure passion. Neuer at 40 still going strong though... legend.
As an Indian football fan, I feel for Curacao. We know the pain of being minnows on the world stage. But their qualification alone is inspirational - shows what small nations can achieve with proper development. Germany just too good though. Hope India reaches this level in my lifetime! 🇮🇳⚽
That hydration break completely changed the game - Germany used it perfectly to regroup. Smart coaching from Nagelsmann. But Curacao should be proud - they didn't just park the bus, they actually tried to play football. More heart than some bigger teams show.
Just imagine - an island of 155,000 people scoring against Germany in a World Cup! That's bigger than any result. My chai and samosa break at work was worth it just to see that equalizer. 🇨🇼✨ Germany ruthless second half though - no mercy!
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