Edited by Paul Elegbeleye
With a 7-1 scoreline powered by a Kai Havertz brace, Germany equalled the memorable 7-1 semi-final defeat of the ‘Selecao’ of Brazil at the 2014 edition in Brazil.
Their biggest win had come in the 2002 tournament, where they demolished Saudi Arabia 8-0. The statement victory also put Germany as the nation with the most goals in the FIFA World Cup, with 239 goals, placing them ahead of Brazil, who have 238 goals.
Coming into the fixture as favourites, the star-studded German team wasted no time in taking the lead through Borussia Dortmund’s Central Midfielder, Felix Nmecha, in the 6th minute.
The 25-year-old talent played a tantalising one-two pass with Liverpool’s Midfielder, Florian Wirtz, and then slotted the back to the right end of the net, past the motionless Curaçao’s goalkeeper, Eloy Room.
Curaçao Fought Back
The ‘Blue Wave’ of Curaçao soon stunned the German team, when they equalised in the 21st minute. A quick play from the right put pressure on Germany’s defence. They failed to clear their lines, allowing Curaçao’s Livano Comenencia to unleash a shot, which deflected off Bayern Munich’s midfielder, Joshua Kimmich, and past veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, into the back of his net. It was Curaçao’s first ever World Cup goal. And what better team to score against than the four-time champions.
Germany soon restored their lead in the 38th minute after Borussia Dortmund’s centre-back, Nico Schlotterbeck, headed in the ball from a corner by Eintracht Frankfurt’s left-back, Nathaniel Brown.
Their lead was doubled in the stoppage time of the first half, after Nmecha was tripped in the penalty box. Havertz stepped up and calmly slotted the ball to give Germany a two-goal lead going into the half-time break.
The second half began in the same fashion for Germany, and they soon added to their lead in the 47th minute. Jamal Musiala received a smooth through pass from Kimmich, withstood pressure from his marker, and slotted home a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
Their fifth came through Nathaniel Brown in the 68th minute. And what a goal it was! VFB Stuttgart’s striker, Deniz Undav, received the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box, played a flick pass to Brown, who released a precise shot past Room, to give his team a commanding lead.
The German team continued their onslaught in the 78th minute, when Undav finally got his goal. Havertz received the ball at the left-side, played a low cross into the box, which found Kimmich. The Bayern Munich midfielder calmly passed the ball past the rushing Room, into the path of Undav, who slotted home past some Curaçao defenders.
Havertz’s Brace
Havertz completed the annihilation, as he bagged his brace, in the 88th minute, when he met a sensational through pass from Undav, and chipped the ball past the head of Room, to complete a remarkable night for his team.
It was not an entirely bitter experience for the Curaçao’s team as the spectators gave them rousing applause for their performance against the German side, and for playing their first-ever Men’s World Cup match. Dick Advocaat – who is making history as the oldest coach ever in a World Cup tournament, and his players, will hope to get their first World Cup point when they face Ecuador on June 20.
As for Germany, the victory, although expected, has made known their intention to win a fifth World Cup title. They will battle The Elephants of the Ivory Coast in matchday 2 on June 20. That, of course, will be a tougher match, and will show the resolve of the Germans at this year’s World Cup.
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