World Cup debutants Curacao made historical past by scoring their first-ever purpose on the event, however they suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany of their opening Group E match in Houston.
Germany, four-time world champions, began strongly and took the lead after simply six minutes by means of Felix Nmecha. The midfielder curled a robust shot into the online to attain the quickest purpose of the event thus far.
Curacao, the smallest nation ever to compete at a World Cup, responded brilliantly. Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia grew to become a nationwide hero when he scored the nation’s first World Cup purpose within the twenty first minute. His shot from exterior the field took a deflection and beat veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The purpose sparked celebrations amongst Curacao supporters and marked a historic second for the Caribbean nation of round 155,000 folks.
Curacao briefly threatened one other shock when striker Jurgen Locadia appealed for a penalty, however the referee waved play on.
Germany quickly regained management. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck restored their lead with a header from Nathaniel Brown’s nook earlier than Kai Havertz transformed a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Felix Nmecha was introduced down within the field.
Main 3-1 on the break, Germany stepped up their efficiency within the second half.
Simply over a minute after the restart, Jamal Musiala scored from a Joshua Kimmich go to make it 4-1. Brown then added a fifth with a high quality volley earlier than substitute Deniz Undav received on the scoresheet for Germany’s sixth purpose.
Havertz accomplished his brace two minutes from time with a fragile end over Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room after one other help from Undav.
Six totally different German gamers discovered the online as Julian Nagelsmann’s aspect started their World Cup marketing campaign in spectacular trend.
Though the outcome was a painful one for Curacao, the evening will at all times be remembered for Comenencia’s historic strike, which gave the island nation its first World Cup purpose and a particular place in soccer historical past.
