Houston: Germany launched their FIFA World Cup campaign with a ruthless 7-1 demolition of tournament debutants Curaçao at the Houston Stadium, despite a brief scare from the Caribbean underdogs in the first half.

Julian Nagelsmann's side established total control early in the Group E fixture. Midfielder Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in just the sixth minute with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area. However, Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup, produced a momentous equaliser in the 21st minute. Livano Comenencia capitalised on a lapse in the German defence to slot home his country’s first-ever goal in tournament history, sparking passionate celebrations.

The four-time world champions responded swiftly to reassert their authority. In the 38th minute, Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany's lead by meeting a corner from Nathaniel Brown to glance a close-range header into the bottom corner. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Nmecha was fouled inside the box by Riechedly Bazoer, allowing Kai Havertz to confidently roll home a penalty and secure a -1 cushion before the interval.

Later, it was a relentless second-half onslaught from the European giants. It took just 69 seconds after the restart for Jamal Musiala to extend the lead, finishing brilliantly from a tight angle after being teed up by Joshua Kimmich. The German side continued to dismantle Curaçao's tiring defence, and left-back Nathaniel Brown capped a fine individual performance in the 68th minute by drilling a first-time volley into the far corner following a clever flick from Deniz Undav.

Nagelsmann utilised the final quarter of the match to rotate his squad, introducing fresh players whilst maintaining offensive momentum. Substitute striker Deniz Undav got himself on the scoresheet in the 78th minute, converting another precise cutback from Kimmich. The final blow arrived in the 87th minute when Havertz latched onto a loose ball in the box, lacing through the middle to claim his second goal of the match and cap off a comprehensive 7-1 statement victory for Die Mannschaft.