Germany announced their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion and, in the process, rewrote history. Julian Nagelsmann’s side beat tournament debutant Curao 7-1 in Houston on Sunday to overtake Brazil as the top-scoring nation. FIFA World Cup HistoryThe four-time champions finished five goals behind the five-time winners on 232 goals in the tournament and, thanks to their seven-star display at NRG Stadium, totaled 239 goals, one clear of Brazil’s 238.
Most goals in FIFA World Cup history
- Germany – 239
- Brazil – 238
- Argentina – 152
- France – 136
- Italy – 128
The win added another chapter to Germany’s remarkable World Cup legacy and began an exciting run with Brazil during a tournament that spanned the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Curaçao dreamed briefly before Germany came under complete control
Despite the final scoreline, Germany were made to work early by World Cup newcomers Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to compete in the tournament.Felix Nemcha opened the scoring in the sixth minute after being set up by Florian Wertz. However, Curaçao stunned the heavy German crowd when Livano Comenencia scored in the 21st minute to send cheers to their supporters.The underdogs held Germany at 1-1 until the 38th minute, before Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner.Kai Howertz then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to make it 3-1, effectively breaking Curacao’s resistance.
Havertz double headlines seven-goal blitz
Germany rallied after the break. Jamal Mosela scored in the 47th minute, Brown added a fifth in the 68th minute, Deniz Indau scored in the 78th minute and Havartz completed his brace two minutes from time.The 7-1 scoreline brought back memories of Germany’s famous 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.Nagelsmann, whose team suffered group stage exits in the last two editions, welcomed the statement victory.“We really needed that convincing win. We needed that confidence. It was there but it definitely grew,” he said. “We have to show them that we can perform and we have to be confident. I think we are in a better place than we were going into this match.”Germany next face Ivory Coast in Toronto on Sunday.
