Germany opened World Cup Group E with a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao, matching a familiar scoreline from past tournaments and extending a strong winning streak, as Julian Nagelsmann’s side combined sharp finishing, sustained pressure, and set-piece strength to move top of the group after an early scare.

The match featured seven different Germany scorers or providers, clinical use of space in wide areas, and constant attacking numbers around the box, while Curacao still created a historic moment with the nation’s first World Cup goal, giving Curacao supporters reason to celebrate despite the heavy defeat.

Germany’s success against Curacao pushed the national team’s current run to 10 consecutive victories in all competitions, leaving Germany just two wins short of matching the longest winning sequence in German Football Association history, achieved with 12 straight successes between 1979 and 1980 across friendlies and competitive fixtures.

The performance also continued Germany’s habit of starting major tournaments strongly, as the attack produced 26 shots and 12 efforts on target, while Manuel Neuer had comparatively little to handle, with Curacao creating eight attempts and 0.4 expected goals, far below Germany’s 3.9 expected goals across the 90 minutes.

The scoring began almost immediately when Felix Nmecha struck after just six minutes, linking neatly with Florian Wirtz in a quick one-two before bending a composed right-footed effort around the defender, with the goal timed at 05:17, the fastest by a Germany player on a first World Cup start since Philipp Lahm’s 05:08 against Costa Rica in 2006.

Curacao responded in the 21st minute, when Livano Comenencia saw an attempted defence-splitting pass blocked, then reacted first to the loose ball and drove a shot that deflected beyond Neuer, securing Curacao’s first goal at a World Cup finals and a historic personal moment despite the outcome of the contest.

Nico Schlotterbeck had already threatened from an earlier set-piece, and Curacao did not adjust their marking, so in the 37th minute Schlotterbeck met Nathaniel Brown’s corner with a glancing header that beat goalkeeper Eloy Room, restoring Germany’s advantage after Curacao’s equaliser and reasserting control from dead-ball situations.

Germany added a third just before half-time when Nmecha drew a foul from Riechedly Bazoer inside the penalty area, with the Curacao defender catching Nmecha late, and Kai Havertz stepped up to take the spot-kick, sending Room the wrong way with a calm finish on the stroke of the interval.

Germany World Cup display defined by relentless attacking numbers

By the break, Germany already led 3-1 and had produced 16 shots, the highest first-half total by any team in a World Cup match since Ivory Coast also managed 16 attempts against Serbia in 2006, with Curacao struggling to stem repeated attacks through central areas and down both flanks.

Germany’s pressure did not ease after the restart, and two minutes into the second half Jamal Musiala found space on the left side of the area, taking a precise pass and sliding the ball home from a tight angle, stretching the advantage and settling any remaining nerves among Germany supporters.

Curacao briefly thought there was a route back when Leandro Bacuna converted at the other end, but the assistant’s flag quickly ruled the effort out for offside, denying Curacao a second goal and ending hopes of a dramatic shift in momentum as Germany’s defensive line stepped out in sync.

Germany’s fifth came in the 68th minute, giving Nathaniel Brown a debut goal when Deniz Undav met a cross with a clever flick and Brown arrived with perfect timing, smashing a volley past Room, before Undav turned scorer later, squeezing a low shot beyond Bacuna on the line for Germany’s sixth.

The final goal completed Havertz’s brace and underlined Germany’s attacking quality, as Joshua Kimmich split the Curacao defence with a measured throughball, allowing Havertz to race clear and delicately lift the ball over the advancing Room, sealing another 7-1 scoreline that will resonate with World Cup followers.

Curacao’s 7-1 loss became the heaviest defeat for a debuting nation at a World Cup since 1954, when South Korea were beaten 9-0 by Hungary, yet Curacao still left with a milestone goal and valuable experience against a Germany side that again underlined status as a serious contender in Group E.

Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao delivered key records, extended a long winning sequence, and showcased efficient finishing, while Curacao experienced both a landmark first World Cup goal and the heaviest defeat for a debut team since 1954, highlighting the gap in depth but also the value of top-level exposure.