Football: Curaçao scores its first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, equalising against Germany

Published on 14/06/2026 - 19:41 GMT+2•Updated

20:57

LIVE UPDATES: Germany are firmly in control 5-1 against Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean island and the smallest country ever to compete at the World Cup, after conceding a goal in the 21st minute, Curaçao's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.

The strike came in the 21st minute of the first half following Die Mannschaft's sixth-minute opener.

Curacao, the island nation of 150,000 people, is currently trailing behind the German machines 1-5 in the Group E football match being played in Houston.

Their historic goal came following a Curaçao attack: a shot by Livano Comenencia which was deflected off a German defender and past the helpless Manuel Neuer.

The goal sent Curaçao fans and supporters inside Houston Stadium in wild jubilation, a feat that would be etched in the history of the small island nation's football.

However, by half-time, the German machines had gone 3-1 up after goals by Nico Schlotterbeck, who nodded Germany back in front, and Kai Havertz's penalty kick.

Germany's Jamal Musialaadded a fourth two minutes into the second period before Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav added theirs to make it 6-1 to the overwhelming favourites by the 80th minute.

Kai Havertz put the gloss on the scoreline in the 88th minute, lifting the ball over keeper Eloy Room after a perfectly timed through ball split the Curaçao defence wide open. The score is now 7-1 - many will remember this being the final score during Germany's historic semi-final defeat of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.

Germany has won four World Cups: in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 – with their last opening match victory being twelve years ago. Only Brazil has been more successful in the FIFA World Cups, scooping five titles.

More details and updates to come.