Germany opened World Cup 2026 Group E with a powerful 7-1 win over Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston, backed by 68,021 fans and a crisp attacking display. Four debut goals from Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown and Jamal Musiala set the tone, with Kai Havertz adding a brace and Deniz Undav delivering a devastating cameo. Curaçao did find an early equalizer through Livano Comenencia, but the rest of the night belonged to Julian Nagelsmann’s side. The numbers on Sofascore read like a one-sided blueprint: possession, chances and penalty-area presence all tilted Germany’s way. It was the sort of group opener that settles nerves and sharpens goal difference in one go.

Fast start and debut scorers

Germany struck early. In the 6th minute, a neat sequence through Musiala and Florian Wirtz freed Felix Nmecha in the right channel, and he finished low for 1-0. Curaçao responded well and levelled on 21 minutes, when Livano Comenencia stepped onto a loose ball and drove a left-footed shot past Manuel Neuer. Germany regained control before the break, with debutant Nathaniel Brown whipping in a deep cross and Nico Schlotterbeck heading it in on 38 minutes. Just before halftime, Havertz converted a penalty to make it 3-1, a key moment that shifted any lingering tension.

The restart brought more of the same. Musiala made it four on 47 minutes after running onto a Joshua Kimmich pass and guiding his finish inside the far post. The floodgates opened in the closing stretch, when substitute Deniz Undav threaded a pass for Brown to score Germany’s fifth in the 68th minute. Undav then got his own goal in the 78th minute from a Kimmich cutback, making it 6-1. The night closed with Havertz’s second in the 88th minute, again supplied by Undav to wrap up a statement win.

What the numbers say

Germany’s control showed up across the board. They held 65% possession and produced 3.91 expected goals to Curaçao’s 0.40, which aligns closely with the 7-1 scoreline. The shot map was decisive, with 26 total attempts to 8 and 12 on target to 2, including 21 strikes inside the box for Germany. Six big chances were created and four were scored, while Curaçao did not record a single big chance. Touches in the penalty area ended 63 to 10, a clear sign of the territorial pressure Germany applied.

Passing and territory also told the story. Germany completed 551 of 635 passes and made 80 entries into the final third, converting 76% of their actions there. Curaçao were limited to 37 final-third entries and 46 successful final-third actions. On the flanks, Germany’s crossing accuracy hit 42% compared to 29% for Curaçao, and their long balls found targets at a 50% clip against 39%. Even set pieces tilted the balance, with Germany earning 8 corners to 1 and dominating aerial duels 64% to 36%. Curaçao did block shots and clear danger often, showing 25 clearances and 16 interceptions, but that mostly reflected the volume of defending required.

Kimmich, Havertz and the supporting cast

Joshua Kimmich pulled strings from the right side with 2 assists, 5 key passes and 65 of 73 passes completed, earning an 8.3 Sofascore Rating. His delivery created two big chances and he went 3 of 4 on crosses, a steady supply line throughout. Havertz made the most of his looks with 4 shots, 2 goals and 0.95 xG, combining composure from the spot with a tidy late finish. Florian Wirtz added one assist and 4 key passes, completing 54 of 64 passes in a busy creative shift.

Germany’s debut scorers stood out. Nmecha posted 1 goal, won a penalty, hit the woodwork and recorded 3 shots on target in 73 minutes for an 8.6 Sofascore Rating. Schlotterbeck combined his headed goal with a commanding defensive line: 103 touches, 86 passes completed, 9 duels won, 4 aerials won, 5 clearances and 3 interceptions for an 8.4. Brown went 1 goal and 1 assist with 3 key passes and 2 of 5 crosses completed before making way, scoring an 8.0. Musiala’s lively 64 minutes yielded a goal, 3 shots, 2 key passes and 2 successful tackles, landing an 8.1. Add Aleksandar Pavlović’s tidy 67 of 72 passing and 3 won tackles, and Germany’s spine looked balanced as well as clinical.

Deniz Undav’s MVP cameo

Deniz Undav changed the game’s rhythm in just 26 minutes. He produced 1 goal and 2 assists, plus 3 key passes, finishing with an 8.9 Sofascore Rating, the best on the pitch. His first assist arrived in the 68th minute, slipping in Nathaniel Brown to make it 5-1. Ten minutes later, Undav took center stage with a right-footed finish from close range after a Kimmich feed. He was not done, sliding a pass for Havertz to add Germany’s seventh in the 88th minute.

Beyond the headline moments, Undav was efficient with the ball. He completed 8 of 12 passes and hit his only long ball, while weighing in with 15 touches and 3 recoveries. His expected numbers back it up, posting 0.42 xG and 0.23 xA in a short window. For a late substitute, that level of direct involvement is rare and exactly why he earned the top mark. If Germany need an impact option as Group E unfolds, Undav just made a strong case.

Curaçao’s flashes and what’s next

Curaçao had their moment when Livano Comenencia equalized with a clean left-foot strike in the first half, finishing with a 7.3 Sofascore Rating, the best among his side. They also edged Germany in ground duels at 54% and matched up well in dribbles, which shows there was competitive bite in midfield. Juninho Bacuna logged 9 ball recoveries and 5 interceptions, and captain Leandro Bacuna led the team in touches, passes and shots. Those numbers underline the work rate that kept them in phases of the match.

The gaps were in the penalty area and in the air. Germany won aerial duels 64% to 36% and stacked up 63 touches in Curaçao’s box, which is hard to withstand for 90 minutes. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 4 saves but finished with a -2.25 goals prevented figure, a tough night behind a back line that faced 26 shots and 8 blocks against. Curaçao also spent long stretches clearing danger, with 25 clearances and 16 interceptions highlighting how deep they were forced. In a group setting, resilience matters, and Curaçao will look to build on their pressing moments and tighten the box defending before the next assignment.

Germany, meanwhile, combined control with end product. The 7-1 win comes with a healthy goal difference, contributions spread across the lineup and a standout impact off the bench. For Group E plans, that is just about the ideal start. Fans can find full player heatmaps, live momentum graphs and every Sofascore Rating from this match on Sofascore, which remains a handy companion for tracking Germany’s campaign.