Curacao scripted a fairytale run to qualify for North America as one of the four World Cup debutants and arrive as the third lowest ranked team in the tournament. While the Concacaf nation will lean heavily on its Dutch diaspora roots, even securing a point in a challenging Group E, which also features Ivory Coast and Ecuador, would be a significant achievement.
Germany, meanwhile have been a pale shadow of their vintage selves at major tournaments in recent years. But they arrive at the World Cup in strong form and will be targeting a convincing victory to launch their campaign in style against Curacao.
First Half Goals
German midfielder Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the sixth minute, courtesy of a fine assist from Florian Wirtz. Curacao equalised in the 21st minute through Livano Comenencia, marking the nation's first ever World Cup goal.
Germany got a corner in the 38th minute, and Nico Schlotterbeck rose to meet the ball and connected perfectly with his head, making it 2-1. Brown took the corner kick from the right, curling it in before Schlotterbeck headed it past the goalkeeper.
Nmecha was fouled just before half time inside the opposition box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Kai Havertz converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-1. Havertz rolled it in the bottom left corner with ease on the cusp of half time.
At half time, the referee blew his whistle with Germany leading 3-1. Curacao received a standing ovation from their fans after scoring their first ever World Cup goal.
Second Half Action
The second half got underway with a substitution for Curacao as Antonsse replaced Hansen.
Just after half time, a Kimmich pass found Jamal Musiala inside the box, who slotted it past the goalkeeper for Germany's fourth. Kimmich played him in with a pass from the right. Musiala was in the box and slotted it past the goalkeeper with ease.
MUSIALA SCORES! WHAT A GOAL!
MUSIALAAAA! OH! HOW GOOD WAS THAT! WHAT A GOAL! BRILLIANCE! TIMING! SPECTACULAR!
Kimmich plays him in with a pass from the right. Musiala is in the box, slots it past the goalkeeper with ease! WHAT A FINISH!
Action resumed after Musiala's strike extended Germany's lead to 4-1.
Other Match Moments
Curacao showed intent during stretches of the first half. Germany sprayed the ball around as Kimmich and Sane exchanged passes. Curacao managed to break the play and counter attack, but they ran out of ideas, slowed the tempo, and the shot went to Neuer, who held it easily.
Curacao wasted a counter attack on another occasion during the opening half. Germany took the lead through Schlotterbeck's header at the 38 minute mark, making the score Germany 2-1 Curacao at that stage.
