Germany crush debutants Curacao 7-1 in FIFA World Cup Group E opener

Germany walloped Curacao 7-1 in their FIFA World Cup opener on Sunday after Felix Nmecha scored the tournament’s fastest goal so far and then drew a penalty in first-half stoppage time, which Kai Havertz converted to extend the lead.

The four-time champions dominated from the start of the Group E match against the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup and were rewarded when Nmecha curled a shot into the corner after a sublime one-two with Florian Wirtz in the sixth minute.

Havertz got two goals and Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also scored in Houston.

A determined Curacao side gave their fans something to cheer when Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to level but Germany quickly took control again with a Nico Schlotterbeck header and the Havertz penalty.

Germany picked up where they left off after the break, with Jamal Musiala holding off a defender to slot home.

Nathaniel Brown then notched a goal on his World Cup debut before Deniz Undav and Havertz added late goals to complete an easy victory.