Havertz sparks Germany's 7-1 rout of Curaçao after underdogs' historic 1st goal in World Cup

Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates with teammate Jonathan Tah, left, after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Karen Warren/AP hide caption

HOUSTON — Germany's seven-goal rout of Curaçao in its World Cup opener on Sunday was the perfect outcome to overshadow a close first half and boost the team after consecutive group-stage exits for the four-time champions.

Kai Havertz scored two goals as Germany pulled away from World Cup first-timer Curaçao and piled it on in a 7-1 win in group play. The smallest country to ever appear in the tournament hung tight at 1-1 until the 38th minute.

"We really needed this convincing win," coach Julian Nagelsmann said. "We needed this self-confidence. It was there but it definitely grew."

He said Sunday's display was important for the country's fans.

"We have to show them that we can perform and we have to have the confidence," he said. "I think we're in a better spot than we were entering this match."

Livano Comenencia tied it at 1-1 with his left-footed shot through traffic from the center of the box in the 21st minute to give Curaçao its first goal in the tournament and send fans of the tiny Caribbean nation into a frenzy.

"Even though it wasn't me, it felt like it was me, it was all of us, the whole island, everybody," Curaçao's Jearl Margaritha said. "We screamed our lungs out. So we were happy."