Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Korau 7-1. FIFA World Cup opener on Sunday, but not before the Caribbean nation produced a memorable moment by scoring their first goal of the tournament and holding the four-time champions level for 37 minutes in a spirited first-half display.
Curaçao’s historic strike stunned Germany.
Playing in their first match of the World Cup, Curaçao became the smallest nation ever to feature in the tournament and enjoyed a dream moment when Livano Comenencia made history. After Felix Nemcha gave Germany an early lead in the sixth minute, Comunicia scored a left-footed effort in the crowded penalty area to make it 1-1 in the 21st minute.The goal was Curaçao’s first at a FIFA World Cup and raised hopes of a brief upset as Dick Advocaat’s men frustrated the Germans for much of the opening half.“Even though it wasn’t me, it felt like it was me, it was all of us, the whole island, everyone,” Curaçao winger Jarl Margaretha said after the match. “We screamed our lungs out. So we were happy.”However, the high quality of Germany told the end. Defender Nico Schlotterback restored the lead in the 38th minute with a header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner, ending Curaçao’s heroic resistance after the sides had been level for 17 minutes.Kai Havertz then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time after bringing down Felix Nemecha in the box, giving Germany a 3-1 lead at the break.
Havertz gave Germany a double power to declare victory.
Julian Nagelsmann wasted little time after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Jamal Mosela got Brown on the scoresheet in the 68th minute.Deniz Undau added another in the 78th minute and Hauertz completed his brace with two minutes remaining in a dominant performance to give Germany victory by a six-goal margin.“We really needed this convincing win,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “We needed that confidence. It was there but it definitely grew.”Nagelsmann admitted that his team faced a difficult challenge against an opponent with little pressure.“There is a lot of expectation from one team and not from another team and it is a bit difficult,” he said.
Kai Havertz of Germany scores a goal during the World Cup Group E match against Krakow in Houston. (AP Photo)
The mission of redemption begins positively.
Germany enter the tournament looking for redemption after back-to-back group stage exits in Russia and Qatar, and Sunday’s emphatic result provided an ideal start to their campaign.“We have to show the fans that we can perform and we have to have confidence,” Nagelsmann said. “We’re in a better place than we were going into this match.”Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, returning to international soccer after nearly two years, made a save in front of a crowd of 68,021 at Houston’s NRG Stadium.Germany next face Ivory Coast in Toronto, while Curao will look to build on a historic evening when they take on Ecuador in Kansas City.
