<\/p>\n
Germany forward Kai Havertz (7) celebrates after scoring against Cura\u00e7ao on a penalty kick during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans celebrate after scoring against Germany during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) celebrates after scoring against Cura\u00e7ao during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao defender Armando Obispo (18) battles for ball control with Germany forward Leroy San\u00e9 (19) during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz (17) gets tangled up with Cura\u00e7ao forward Tahith Chong (21) as they fight for the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans watch as their team takes on Cura\u00e7ao Cura\u00e7ao fans celebrate the teams first ever World Cup goal against Germany during the first half of game action at Houston Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans celebrate after scoring against Germany during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Houston mayor John Whitmire arrives for the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eric Smith)<\/p>\n
Eric Smith\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
German fans cheer after Nico Schlotterbeck’s goal at a watch party at Houston Saengerbund during the first half of team\u2019s match against Curacao in the FIFA World Cup tournament in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
German fan Lisa Schlichter shows off her FIFA themed cast with the German flag to fellow fans at a watch party at Houston Saengerbund during the first half of team\u2019s match against Curacao in the FIFA World Cup tournament in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
German fan Marcus Nassar watches plat during a fan party during the team\u2019s match against Curacao in the FIFA World Cup tournament at Houston Saengerbund in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Dara Kotyzzka, right, reacts to a goal by Curaco which ties the match 1-1 alongside Ana Laura during a Germany watch party during the team\u2019s match against Curacao in the FIFA World Cup tournament at Houston Saengerbund in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao forward Tahith Chong (21) goes to the turf as he collides with Germany midfielder Jamal Musiala (10) during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) celebrates after scoring against Cura\u00e7ao during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Volunteers roll out the flag of Cura\u00e7ao during pregame ceremonies before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao defender Riechedly Bazoer (23). Germany forward Leroy San\u00e9 (19), midfielder Jamal Musiala (10) and Cura\u00e7ao midfielder Leandro Bacuna, right, go after a ball during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha celebrates after scoring against Cura\u00e7ao during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao midfielder Juninho Bacuna (7) gets tangled up with Germany forward Leroy San\u00e9 (19) and Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
The ball sails past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (1) as Cura\u00e7ao defender Livano Comenencia scores during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao defender Livano Comenencia, on the ground, celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Germany during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck (15) goes up for a header against Cura\u00e7ao defender Sherel Floranus (5) on a corner kick during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany scores against Cura\u00e7ao on a corner kick header by Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
The World Cup pre-game ceremony between Germany and\u00a0Cura\u00e7ao begins at Houston Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Peter Warren\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao defender Armando Obispo (18) and Germany forward Kai Havertz (7) battle for ball control during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) is tripped up and fouled by Cura\u00e7ao defender Riechedly Bazoer (23), resulting in a penalty kick, during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) lies on the pitch after he was fouled by Cura\u00e7ao defender Riechedly Bazoer (23), resulting in a penalty kick, during the first half of a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans watch as their team takes on Germany during the first half of game action at Houston Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans celebrate the teams first ever World Cup goal against Germany during the first half of game action at Houston Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
The World Cup pre-game ceremony between Germany and\u00a0Cura\u00e7ao begins at Houston Stadium with the display of flags and national anthems on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Reid Laymance\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha (23) celebates his goal against Cura\u00e7ao during the first half of game action at Houston Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans wave flags and cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
The grass field at Houston Stadium gets watered about an hour before the Germany and Cura\u00e7ao\u00a0game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reid Laymance\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Germany fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Carrying coffee and kicking a soccer ball along the way, a soccer fan doesn\u2019t mind the rain as he makes his way down Old Spanish Trail on Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
World Cup mascots Zayu, left, and Clutch dance on the sidelines as Germany and Cura\u00e7ao take the field before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Cura\u00e7ao fans cheer as the teams take to the pitch to warm up before a World Cup Group E soccer match in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Julian Nagelsmann bears a heavy responsibility with Germany at this FIFA World Cup<\/a>, but unlike his father, he will not be operating in secret.<\/p>\n On Sunday in Houston, he passed his first test in his World Cup debut, leading his team to a 7-1 rout of newcomer Cura\u00e7ao in the Group E opener\u00a0\u2014 a match that felt almost like an open training session before a crowd of 68,021 spectators who nearly filled Reliant Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cIt took us a few minutes to get back into the game after they equalised. Cura\u00e7ao can play football too, as we saw, and I\u2019m curious to see how they\u2019ll fare in the group going forward. I\u2019m very satisfied with us scoring seven goals and our performance for the most part. A winning start is always important, and we\u2019re glad we managed it,\u201d Nagelsmann said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n GERMANY 7, CURA\u00c7AO 1: How the game and day went in Houston<\/a><\/p>\n Nagelsmann, the young head coach of Die Mannschaft, is tasked with restoring the proud nation\u2019s footballing identity at the sport\u2019s most important tournament following the four-time champions’ recent failures in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), where they suffered the humiliation of failing to advance past the group stage.<\/p>\n The titles won in Switzerland (1954), on home soil (1974), Italy (1990), and Brazil (2014) are now distant memories, and Nagelsmann\u2019s arrival marked a genuine change of course, steering the national team in a new direction.<\/p>\n In this new edition of the World Cup\u00a0\u2014 hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada\u00a0\u2014 he has already taken the first step by routing the underdog and debutant Cura\u00e7ao side at Reliant Stadium in the Group E opener.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n FAN-FRIENDLY: A German fan gets special treatment from J.J. Watt<\/a><\/p>\n From the outset, it was clear this match against Cura\u00e7ao would be a David-versus-Goliath affair. Making its tournament debut, the team from the small Caribbean island\u00a0\u2014 a former Dutch colony\u00a0\u2014 became the smallest nation ever to participate in a World Cup. The players did their best despite the vast gap in quality, but their fans were impressive. It was fantastic to see them celebrate the first World Cup goal in their history, cheer on their team, and send their players off as heroes at the end despite the crushing defeat.<\/p>\n Early Retirement<\/p>\n Nagelsmann, 38, was forced to retire as a footballer at the age of 20 because of injuries. He was a central defender for Augsburg and 1860 Munich, playing in their youth ranks and reaching the senior squad, but he was unable to continue his career after two knee surgeries. He channeled his love for the sport into a successful and rapidly rising coaching career, beginning at Augsburg as an assistant coach.<\/p>\n In footballing terms, he was shaped by the influence of Thomas Tuchel\u00a0\u2014 the current England national team manager at this World Cup\u00a0\u2014 during his youth. Tuchel coached him when he was a player at Augsburg.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n