By KRISTIE RIEKEN
Associated Press
Published: June 14, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Germany’s Jonathan Tah, front , and Curaçao’s Tahith Chong fight for the ball during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eric Gay/AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
Germany’s Florian Wirtz, left, attempts a shot at goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Karen Warren/AP Photo/Karen Warren) 
Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eric Smith/AP Photo/Eric Smith) 
Germany’s Jamal Musiala falls to the ground in front of Curaçao’s Juninho Bacuna during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Karen Warren/AP Photo/Karen Warren) 
Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck (15) scores their second goal against Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eric Smith/AP Photo/Eric Smith) 
Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck (15) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eric Smith/AP Photo/Eric Smith)
HOUSTON (AP) — Germany led 3-1 at halftime Sunday against Curacao in its World Cup debut, with the tiny island nation scoring its first goal and staying level with the four-time champions until near the end of the half in a group match.
Livano Comenencia tied it with his left-footed shot through traffic from the center of the box in the 21st minute to give Curacao its first goal in the tournament and send fans of the Blue Wave into a frenzy.
Germany regained the lead on Nico Schlotterbeck’s header off Nathaniel Brown’s corner kick in the 38th minute.
Kai Havertz connected on a penalty shot into the left goal in first half stoppage time to make it 3-1. Germany was awarded the penalty shot after Felix Nmecha was tripped in the box by Riechedly Bazoer.
Germany seeks redemption after failing to get out of the group stage in Russia and Qatar following its 2014 title.
Nmecha one timed it with his right foot into the near post just inside the upper box with an assist from Florian Wirtz in the sixth minute to make it 1-0.
The crowd was overwhelming rooting for Germany but there was a spirited contingent of people cheering on Curacao as it became the smallest country to ever appear in the tournament.
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