HOUSTON – Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann praised Curaçao's performance after his team secured a commanding 7-1 victory in the nations' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the Caribbean side played with courage and exceeded expectations.
The four-time world champions opened their Group E campaign with a dominant win in Houston, but Nagelsmann reserved special praise for the World Cup debutants, who briefly stunned Germany by equalizing in the first half.
"It was a great start to the match. The first fifteen minutes were fantastic," Nagelsmann said after the game. "We created many chances. Curaçao's equalizer was unexpected, but it was fascinating to see how our team responded."
Germany took an early lead through Felix Nmecha in the sixth minute, but Curaçao made history when Livano Comenencia scored the island's first-ever World Cup goal, leveling the score at 1-1 and sparking celebrations among supporters.
The equalizer briefly raised hopes of a major upset, but Germany restored control before halftime and eventually pulled away in the second half. Six different German players found the net as the Europeans cruised to a 7-1 victory.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Nagelsmann said Curaçao performed better than many observers in Germany had anticipated.
"Curaçao played better than many people in Germany expected," the German coach said. "They played differently than before and they played with courage."
The comments were seen as a significant compliment from one of football's most respected young coaches, particularly given the enormous gap in experience between the two nations. Germany entered the tournament as one of the favorites, while Curaçao is making its first-ever appearance on football's biggest stage.
Nagelsmann also expressed satisfaction with his own team's performance.
"It is not easy to score seven goals, so we are very pleased," he said.
The victory places Germany at the top of Group E following the opening round of matches. Ivory Coast sits second after defeating Ecuador 1-0 in the group's other fixture.
For Curaçao, despite the defeat, the match marked a historic milestone. The Blue Wave not only made its World Cup debut but also scored its first goal in tournament history, ensuring that the nation's first appearance on the global stage will be remembered for more than the final score.
Curaçao will now look to bounce back in its next group match as it continues its historic World Cup journey.
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