Germany defeated Curacao 7-1 in its World Cup opener on Sunday, but Livano Comenecia's stunning equalizer briefly threatened the biggest upset in World Cup history
22:57, 14 Jun 2026
Florian Wirtz was quiet on Sunday
Florian Wirtz was quiet on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Germany's World Cup campaign got off to a flying start in Houston on Sunday with a commanding victory over Curacao.
Yet this match won't be recalled for what everyone anticipated. It will remain etched in the memory for what shouldn't have occurred. An equalizing goal from Livano Comenecia that sent an entire Caribbean nation into raptures — and a soccer giant into utter disbelief.
It was a game to forget for Liverpool star Florian Wirtz, who was relatively quiet in comparison to his international teammates. Though Wirtz picked up an assist for the opening goal, he was arguably the tamest German attacker on the field in Houston.
Ultimately, Julian Nagelsmann's team pulled away convincingly, avoiding what would have constituted a significant embarrassment. Yet for a few glorious minutes, this had threatened to become the greatest upset in World Cup history.
The prospect of David toppling Goliath here in Texas had seemed unthinkable. To put this fixture into perspective, Curacao was making its debut in a tournament Germany had claimed four times.
Curacao could have accommodated half its entire population within the Houston Stadium. As it transpired, approximately 7,000 had journeyed from the Caribbean island to witness a historic moment for all those connected with Curacao.
Wirtz provided an assist but failed to score for Germany
Wirtz provided an assist but failed to score for Germany(Image: Getty Images)
Curacao has been riding the wave of its slogan, "The Blue Wave." Yet it was a white one that swept across the pitch instead. It took the Germans just over five minutes to forge ahead. Felix Nmecha latched onto a lay-off from Wirtz to bend a stunning effort into the far corner.
At 78, Dick Advocaat may be the oldest manager in World Cup history, but even his wealth of experience proved powerless against the anticipated German assault. Nmecha, Leroy Sane, and then Wirtz all came agonizingly close to doubling Germany's advantage, as Nagelsmann's side lined up to add to the scoresheet.
Then the inconceivable occurred — Curacao equalized. Comenecia seized his moment of glory, capitalizing on some sloppy defending from Nico Schlotterbeck, and unleashed a strike that flew past Manuel Neuer, leaving the Germans utterly stunned.
When the hydration break arrived, Nagelsmann was probably wishing for something considerably stronger than water. But normal service was swiftly restored before the interval when Schlotterbeck re-established Germany's lead, and Kai Havertz extended it from the penalty spot, after Riechedly Bazoer had brought down Nmecha.
Jamal Musiala made it four, and the contest had become entirely about damage limitation for Advocaat's rank outsiders.
Article continues below
Yet Germany's quality and composure proved overwhelming, with Nathaniel Brown and substitute Deniz Undav both getting on the scoresheet, before Havertz rounded off the rout with his second of the afternoon.
The smallest nation ever to grace a World Cup will forever cherish their moment in the spotlight, courtesy of Comenecia's stunning strike.
The Germans, meanwhile, have endured back-to-back group stage exits in the previous two tournaments, heaping enormous pressure on Nagelsmann to rewrite the story of a soccer powerhouse. On this evidence, he is already well on his way to doing precisely that.