By Vivian Ahanmisi
Lagos, June 14, 2026
Germany began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high note with an emphatic 7-1 victory over Curacao in a Group E match played on Sunday.
The Netherlands and Japan, in another encounter, played out an exciting 2-2 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F match, after a dramatic second-half battle.
Both teams displayed attacking intent from the opening whistle, with the Netherlands relying on their physical strength and experience, while Japan impressed with quick passing and energetic pressing.
Four-time world champions, Germany, in the Group E encounter, showed their quality from the start, controlling possession and creating several chances against the World Cup debutants, Curacao.
Felix Nmecha gave Germany the lead in the sixth minute after finishing off a well-worked attacking move.
In spite of Germany’s early dominance, Curacao stunned the crowd in the 21st minute when Livano Comenencia found the back of the net to level the scores.
The strike registers the Caribbean nation’s first-ever World Cup goal.
The equaliser briefly raised Curacao’s hopes, but Germany quickly regained control of the contest.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead in the 38th minute with a clinical finish.
Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time (45+5) to hand his side a comfortable 3-1 advantage going into the break.
Germany continued their attacking display after halftime. Jamal Musiala extended the lead in the 47th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Curacao.
The goal further boosted Germany’s confidence as they continued to press forward in search of more goals.
Nathaniel Brown added the fifth goal in the 68th minute after another flowing team move.
Substitute Deniz Undav joined the scoresheet in the 78th minute, capitalising on Germany’s relentless pressure and attacking superiority.
Havertz completed his brace in the 88th minute to round off an impressive performance from the European giants, who finished the match with six different goalscorers.
The result gives Germany an early advantage in Group E and sends a strong message to their rivals as they chase a fifth World Cup title.
For Curacao, in spite of the heavy defeat, Comenencia’s historic goal will remain a memorable moment for the nation in its first appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Germany’s coach praised his team’s attacking display and discipline, while Curacao will look to regroup and improve in their remaining group matches.
In the Netherlands and Japan encounter, the Dutch side dominated possession during several periods of the first half but struggled to create clear openings against a disciplined Japanese defence.
Japan remained dangerous on the counter-attack, using their pace and movement to trouble the Netherlands whenever they advanced into the final third.
The match burst into life after the interval when the Netherlands took the lead in the 51st minute through captain Virgil van Dijk.
The defender rose above the Japanese defence to head home a well-delivered cross, giving the Dutch a 1-0 advantage.
Japan responded immediately and restored parity in the 57th minute through Keito Nakamura, whose strike found the back of the net after a swift attacking move.
The equaliser transformed the contest, with Japan growing in confidence and the Netherlands forced to increase their attacking efforts.
The Netherlands regained the lead in the 64th minute when Crysencio Summerville produced a composed finish to make it 2-1.
Summerville’s goal appeared to have placed the Dutch in control, but Japan refused to surrender and continued searching for another breakthrough.
The Samurai Blue maintained pressure late in the game, forcing the Netherlands into defensive action as they pushed forward for a result.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 89th minute when Daichi Kamada scored a late equaliser to make it 2-2.
The final moments were played at a high tempo, with both sides attempting to find a winning goal before the referee ended the contest.
The draw earned both teams a valuable point in Group F, keeping their qualification hopes alive in a tightly contested section.
For the Netherlands, the result represented a missed opportunity after twice taking the lead, while Japan gained confidence from their strong comeback performance.
The match also underlined Japan’s growing competitiveness on the world stage and the Netherlands’ challenge of turning dominance into victories at major tournaments
