Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was among the notable figures in attendance as Germany launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 7-1 victory over Curaçao in their Group E opener on Sunday.

Germany delivered a dominant performance against the World Cup debutants at Houston Stadium, overcoming an early scare to secure their biggest opening-match win at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2014. The emphatic result extended the team’s impressive run of form under head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Felix Nmecha opened the scoring for Germany in the sixth minute, but Curaçao stunned the four-time world champions when Livano Comenencia equalised in the 21st minute, scoring the Caribbean nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. Germany quickly regained control, however, with goals from Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz before halftime.

The Germans continued their dominance after the break as Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav all found the net, while Havertz completed his brace late in the match to cap a comprehensive victory.

Klopp, who has been serving as a television analyst during the tournament, was closely following the match and later reflected on Germany’s performance. The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach attracted attention after jokingly admitting he had been mistaken to suggest that Musiala should have been rested for the game, following the midfielder’s influential display.

Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao earned widespread praise for their spirited showing and historic achievement of scoring their first World Cup goal. The Caribbean side, making its tournament debut, was backed by a vocal contingent of supporters throughout the match.

The victory gives Germany an early advantage in Group E and boosts their chances of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since the 2014 World Cup triumph. Nagelsmann’s side will next face Ivory Coast, while Curaçao will seek to bounce back against Ecuador.