Germany vs Curaçao 2026 FIFA World Cup (Group E) Match Centre, Stats & Review

The first Group E Germany vs Curaçao clash saw the group favourite Germany get a big first win, and Curacao get a big first ever World Cup goal. Easier games are coming for Curacao, and they showed enough glimpses to be competitive at least. Germany, who have been dismissed as winners did put on a bit of a clinic here, 7-1 feels about right based on the play seen. It may not rocket Germany into World Cup winning contention just yet, but we’re sure some teams will start looking at the draw.

Setting the scene.

It’s a another day of four World Cup games and this potentially lop sided affair between multiple World Cup winners Germany, and a country that a lot of people wouldn’t have heard of before this World Cup in Curacao. It’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable or very large win to the Germans, but it’s a World Cup and anything can happen. This is Curacao’s first ever World Cup match, so hopefully they are not pummelled.

2^nd Min – Lively start to the game and Curacao holding their own early. One potential break away attack was stopped by a German defender shoulder charging the Curcao attacker in a move that would have been penalised in rugby league. This one doesn’t even draw a yellow card, too early in the game. Lucky for the Germans. But it has been a light yellow card World Cup so far.

6^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

After a little bit of pressure on the Curacao goal has led to an opener for Germany. Felix Nmecha is the goal scorer of one of the most casual one-twos you’ll see with Florian Wirtz on the edge of penalty area, it looked like a training run. Nmecha’s shot was punchy and quick and importantly wide of the Curacao keeper.

GERMANY 1 CURACAO 0

9^th Min – Felix Nmecha is at it again with a powerful shot, this time going wide of the keeper and the goal. But sadly it looks like Curacao might be in for a long game and large defeat.

12^th Min – A chance this time for Florian Wirtz to have a powerful shot going wide, the two involved in the first goal have been busy since, but not as clinical as their first efforts. It has to be said that Curacao are giving it plenty counter attacking as quickly as they can and not just putting up a ten man wall.

19^th Min – Curacao’s first decent shot at goal, and yes we could be critical and say it wouldn’t have gone into a goal that was twice the size of a standard one, it’s still a shot on goal and some intent being shown. Leandro Bacuna holds the honour of Curacao’s first decent World Cup attempt.

21^st Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

It’s Curacao’s first goal at a World Cup and it’s Livano Comenencia who scores it. An attacking raid down their right sees some unconvincing but still effective passing between the team before Comenencia gets the ball and shoots the ball into the net for an unlikely equaliser.

GERMANY 1 CURCAO 1

23^rd Min – Germany are lucky it could be two goals to Curacao. A run into the box sees the Curacao attacker Jürgen Locadia knocked off his feet but the penalty isn’t awarded. Probably a penalty in the Premier League, but probably shouldn’t be. An ad break, I mean hydration break is called.

29^th Min – Four corners, not the shape or TV show, in a row were not enough for Germany to break through for a second goal, as a mixture of tenacious defending and underwhelming delivery keeps the scoreline even for now.

36^th Min – The game has slowed down a little with the occasional attack from Germany snuffed out, and the very occasional attack from Curacao being equally contained. Still, after an early German goal, who’d think the score would still be 1-1.

38^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

After taking an age to kick the corner kick it was all worth it as a perfect delivery to the six yard box line see a roving and unmarked Nico Schlotterbeck meet the ball and strike a perfectly glancing blow to the right of the keeper. Germany are back in front.

GERMANY 2 CURCAO 1

42^nd Min – More corners, more pressure for Curacao. They are still holding firm but for how long under such sustained pressure from such a big side. They even deal with a bit of Soccer pinball in their penalty area and keep Germany from scoring again. Curacao even go for a venture and have a shot on target

45^th Min – PENALTY TO GERMANY – Referee blows his whistle and points to the spot, but the replay shows the contact is minimal, bordering on pissweak and the German attacker should really be ashamed of themselves for the level of theatrics on display.

45^th Min +3 – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

The penalty is converted by Kai Havertz who sends the keeper to their left while he casual slots it in to his left. Too easy.

GERMANY 3 CURACAO 1

That’s the half time score. Decent effort from Curacao here, they’ve not been outplayed as much as it could have been, but still Germany are leading 3-1, and you’d think their next level professionalism will make it even harder for
Curacao to compete in the second half.

46^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Well that didn’t take long. Germany have scored a fourth. A nice pass into the penalty are from German captain Joshua Kimmich finds Jamal Musiala who quickly and calmly slots the ball past the keeper with ruthless efficiency. Poor Ruth, not sure what she’s done.

GERMANY 4 CURACAO 1

53^rd Min – Curacao are still trying. An excellent German chance for a fifth is stopped by a Curacao defender throwing himself at the ball to good effect this time.

61^st Min – A free kick in a dangerous position for Curacao is worth talking about as they haven’t had many chances. A good cross and a good header don’t quite hit the mark, but they’re still punching, and while they’re attacker they’re not conceding.

62^nd Min – Germany quickly go down the other end and Leroy Sane has missed a pretty easy chance.

66^th Min – Curacao put the ball in the net, but it is called offside and rightly so, the player involved was several metres offside.

68^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

A fifth for Germany through Nathaniel Brown in a bit of a scramble in the box, and there was a hint of offside which was quickly dismissed by the TV coverage. Tough on Curacao who had recently had chances to score, but Germany so clinical, so efficient as the stereo type advises.

GERMANY 5 CURACAO 1

76^th Min – Another decent chance for Curacao to score goes just high of the goal. Again not much trouble for Germany but they’re still punching. It’s good they’re not too blue Curacao.

78^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

This one felt like a training drill or Grade 10 school match as Germany passed it around in the box until they could square it to an unmarked Deniz Undav who calmly pats the ball into the net.

GERMANY 6 CURACAO 1

88^th Min – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

A wonderful run from Kai Havertz from well outside the box sees him drag along a defender for a while before approaching the goalkeeper and neatly chipping it over him for his second goal and a seventh for Germany. Poor Curacao getting tonked now. A solace that Curacao are only one goal worse than the 2014 Brazilian side that Germany beat 7-2 in that infamous semi final.

GERMANY 7 CURACAO 1

And that is that. Germany get a big first win, and Curacao get a big first ever World Cup goal. Easier games coming for Curacao, and they showed enough glimpses to be competitive at least. Germany, who have been dismissed as winners did put on a bit of a clinic here.

Full match stats coming soon.

The first of the potential one-sided games as Germany meet Curaçao a team/nation where most will be reaching for Google Maps to find where it is (it’s near Venezuela for the record). Germany have got zero buzz of the big previous World Cup winners heading into this tournament, so maybe they are ready to surprise. They sure know how to win it. This 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E Germany vs Curaçao Match Centre will provide an overview of the before and after with a Pre-Game Summary, Match Review and Post-Match stats.

Germany vs Curaçao Preview

STATS SUMMARY

RATINGS

The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system based on H2H stats, World Cup stats, recent records, qualifying and past World Cup performance is here to make choosing the winner easier, or have something to blame.

BARELY INTERESTING STATS

Curacao managed to get through World Cup qualifying undefeated, while Germany topped their group with a W5 L1 record.

Germany have lost their last two opening round World Cup games, and been eliminated at the Group Stage accordingly. Prior to that they won seven opening matches by a combined 27-3.

Germany’s record at World Cups v CONCACAF nations is W7 D1 L1.

Curaçao’s recent friendly loss to Scotland is their first loss to a UEFA nation. Prior to that they were W2 D1 v Netherlands.

Including World Cup qualifying and recent friendlies Germany have won nine games in a row.

Germany have scored three goals or more in nine of their last 15 games v CONCACAF nations.

Germany’s record overall in North America is W18 D9 L11.

Curaçao’s recent friendly matches has seen a 4-1 loss (v Scotland) and a 4-0 win (v Aruba).

MATCH PREDICTION

GERMANY 4 CURACAO 1