Four-time champions teach minnows Curacao a harsh lesson with 7-1 defeat
Four-time champions Germany began their FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing debutants Curacao 7-1 in a Group E encounter on Sunday.
Kai Havertz scored twice as Germany recovered from a brief scare after Curacao had drawn level midway through the first half.
Felix Nmecha gave Germany an early lead in the sixth minute before Livano Comenencia etched his name into Curacao’s history by scoring the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute to make it 1-1.
Germany quickly regained control, with Nico Schlotterbeck heading home from a corner in the 38th minute before Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Nmecha was fouled inside the box.
Jamal Musiala extended the lead two minutes after the restart and Germany never looked back. Nathaniel Brown added a fifth in the 68th minute, Deniz Undav struck 10 minutes later and Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute.
The convincing victory marked a strong start for Germany as they seek to move on from disappointing group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Germany next face Ivory Coast in Toronto, while Curacao will take on Ecuador in Kansas City.
