Curaçao's one-night dream, drowned beneath seven German goals

For eleven minutes, the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup made a four-time champion tremble. Then reality reasserted itself. In Houston, Germany handed out a 7-1 thrashing to heroic but outclassed Curaçao debutants, who nonetheless registered the very first World Cup goal in their history. A showcase orchestrated by Julian Nagelsmann that puts the Mannschaft top of Group E.

An eleven-minute dream, then the avalanche

The opening was a warning. As early as the 6th minute, Felix Nmecha volleyed home a delivery from Florian Wirtz to tuck the ball into the right-hand corner. But Curaçao, far from folding, struck a major blow in the 21st: inside the box, Livano Comenencia unleashed a shot deflected by the defence that wrong-footed Manuel Neuer. 1-1, and an entire island erupted.

The equaliser only stirred the giant. Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header from a Nathaniel Brown corner (38th), then Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, after a foul by Riechedly Bazoer inside the area. After the break, everything ran away: Jamal Musiala (47th) from a Kimmich assist, then debutant Nathaniel Brown with a first-time strike (68th), a goal briefly reviewed by VAR for a possible offside, ultimately allowed to stand. Deniz Undav (78th) and a final gem from Havertz, a cheeky lob over Eloy Room (88th), rounded off the demonstration. Curaçao had even thought they'd doubled their tally through Leandro Bacuna in the 67th, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The giant and the pioneers

The contrast was striking. On one side, Germany, four-time world champions, chasing a fifth title under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann. On the other, Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, by area as by population, led by Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat and arriving here at the end of a qualifying campaign in which they boasted the best attack in the CONCACAF zone.

Before the tournament, Nagelsmann had warned of a group that was "manageable, but not easy". And he had been wary of these debutants Germany had never faced before. What followed proved him right on at least one count: Curaçao really did bite, for the length of an equaliser.

Curaçao are fascinating to analyse. But we won't make the mistake of underestimating them.
Julian Nagelsmann · Germany head coach, before the match

A collective masterclass, and a record for Neuer

Beyond the scoreline, Germany made their mark with their attacking depth: Deniz Undav, who came off the bench, scored and provided two assists; Joshua Kimmich supplied two assists; Nathaniel Brown added a goal to his assist on his full debut. A performance that issues a serious warning to the rest of the competition.

For Curaçao, pride wins out despite the heavy bill. The Caribbean pioneers leave with a historic goal and an enormous fund of goodwill, ahead of two more winnable fixtures.

Germany top, Group E to be completed

The Mannschaft provisionally go top of Group E, awaiting the clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador, who begin their campaign later. Germany will next take on the Elephants on 20 June in Toronto, while Curaçao will try to bounce back against Ecuador the same day in Kansas City.

Germany leave with three points and a clear message sent to their rivals; Curaçao, with a page of history written and their heads held high. The dream was short, but it most certainly happened.