San francisco: The German national football team opened its 2026 World Cup campaign on Sunday with a 7-1 victory over Cura§ao in the first round of Group E play at NRG Stadium. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs through July 19. Group E also includes C´te d'Ivoire and Ecuador.

According to Qatar News Agency, Kai Havertz scored twice for Germany, converting a penalty kick five minutes into first-half stoppage time and adding a second goal in the 88th minute. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the sixth minute, followed by goals from Nico Schlotterbeck in the 38th, Jamal Musiala in the 47th, Nathaniel Brown in the 68th, and Deniz Undav in the 78th. Livano Comenencia scored the lone goal for Cura§ao in the 21st minute.

With the win, Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, took the top spot in Group E with 3 points. The group's other opening match, between Ivory Coast and Ecuador, was scheduled to play later Monday morning.

Cura§ao dropped to the bottom of the group standings. The match marked Cura§ao's historic debut in the World Cup finals, and Comenencia's strike was the national team's first-ever goal in the tournament.