Germany Dominates Curaçao 7-1 in World Cup Opener, Havertz Nets Twice
Published June 14, 2026
Germany commenced their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a decisive 7-1 victory over tournament debutants Curaçao, with forward Kai Havertz contributing two goals to the dominant performance.
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Four-time champions Germany kicked off their journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 7-1 win against Curaçao on Sunday. The European giants showcased their attacking prowess, although the Caribbean nation briefly stunned them by leveling the score early in the match, marking a historic moment for the tournament newcomers.
The game saw Kai Havertz emerge as a key figure, scoring twice for Germany. Curaçao, making their World Cup debut, managed to find the back of the net in the 21st minute through Livano Comenencia, temporarily bringing the score to 1-1 and igniting celebrations among their supporters. However, Germany quickly reasserted control. Nico Schlotterbeck restored their lead, followed by Havertz converting a penalty just before halftime, extending the advantage to 3-1.
The second half saw Germany continue to press their advantage. Jamal Musiala added to the tally shortly after the restart, with Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also finding the net. Havertz then secured his brace in the dying minutes of the match, bringing the final score to 7-1. While an emphatic win, the margin fell short of the standing World Cup record for goals in a single match, which is nine, last achieved by Hungary in their 10-1 triumph over El Salvador in 1982.