Germany7–1Curaçao

Seven goals at NRG Stadium and it wasn't as close as it sounds. Nmecha opened in the 6th and Germany looked like they'd cruise — until Comenencia headed in for Curaçao in the 21st and made it briefly interesting at 1-1. It lasted until the 38th, when Schlotterbeck put Germany back ahead. Havertz added a penalty deep in first-half stoppage time, and Musiala made it four barely ninety seconds into the second half. Curaçao's goalkeeper Room kept out twelve shots across the game — it could easily have been worse. Brown got in on the act in the 68th, Undav finished off a Kimmich through ball in the 78th, and Havertz wrapped it up in the 88th for his brace. No cards for either side, which somehow felt appropriate — Germany weren't brutal, just relentless. A difficult first World Cup game for Curaçao, and a confident opening for Germany.