Curaçao Score Historic Goal, but Fall to Germany 7-1
- Staff Writer
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Credit Opta Analyst
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
By: Richard Strickland
Germany and Curacao opened Group E play with a high-scoring affair in what was Curacao's first game in a World Cup. Unfortunately for Curacao, it wasn't even close on the scoreboard as Germany won 7-1, with six different players finding the back of the net.
Felix Nmecha got things started very early with a brilliant strike from just inside the 18-yard box off a give-and-go with Florian Wirtz.
Germany kept the pressure on Curacao, and just three minutes later Nmecha took another shot from the top of the box that missed just wide. Then, in the 14th minute, Wirtz took a shot that missed by only a foot or two.
Curacao found a way to level things in the 21st minute as an errant ball found its way to Comenencia at the top of the box. He drove it in, and it bounced off Joshua Kimmich and past the ageless Manuel Neuer, who was making his 126th national team appearance and fifth World Cup as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper.
However, Germany bounced right back with a beautiful set piece in the 28th minute that was ultimately denied by Room to keep the game tied. That wouldn't last long, as another set piece, this time a corner kick, was delivered beautifully by Germany. Schlotterbeck headed it home to make it 2-1 just minutes before halftime.
During stoppage time, what could be seen as a questionable foul in the box led to a penalty that Havertz buried in the bottom-left corner to give Germany a 3-1 advantage heading into the break.
With Germany leading and starting with possession in the second half, you had to expect something early from them, and they didn't disappoint. Musiala slipped in onside and slid the ball into the net just two minutes into the half, making it 4-1. Curacao tried to cut into the lead in the 62nd minute with a set-piece header that beat Neuer but ended up just over the crossbar.
In the 68th minute, a bouncing ball found its way to Brown, who got a boot on it and found the back of the net to make it 5-1, with Germany firmly in control.
However, teams don't make it to the World Cup by rolling over and quitting, and Curacao was no different. In the 76th minute, a great interception at midfield by Comenencia led to a forward pass for Margaritha, who made a nice move but sent his shot just over the bar.
In the 78th minute, Germany extended the lead after multiple touches in the box left Room out of position, allowing Undav, who came on in the 63rd minute, to tap it in and make it 6-1 with less than 15 minutes remaining. Germany added one more in the 88th minute as Havertz completed his brace, becoming the second player in the tournament to score two goals so far.
Team Ratings -
Germany: A
Germany was clearly the better team from the opening whistle, controlling possession and putting pressure on Curacao throughout the match. They finished with 26 total shots and 11 on target while limiting Curacao's opportunities, making it a relatively comfortable match for Neuer. Germany will face Ivory Coast on Saturday, a team that has already produced some magic this summer by defeating France for the first time ever.
Curacao: C
There is not much to say when you have a David vs. Goliath matchup in a country's first World Cup appearance, especially as the smallest nation ever to qualify. Despite the result, Curacao played well in the first half, showing speed and skill at times while scoring the nation's first-ever World Cup goal in its first World Cup match. However, the difference in quality and experience became evident in the second half as Curacao appeared slower and more fatigued. Hopefully, they can recover and be ready for Ecuador on Saturday.
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