Curacao's World Cup dream realised despite Germany's 7-1 demolition

There will be few 7-1 scorelines at this expanded World Cup, but none where the one matters more than the seven. Germany have scored countless goals in the tournament and will score countless more. Curacao's goal, however, stands alone. When the ball broke loose in the German penalty area and fell to right back Livano Comenencia, the stadium held its breath. His left footed shot took a deflection off Joshua Kimmich's leg, bounced into the turf and arced over Manuel Neuer's outstretched arm. Germany 1-1 Curacao, and Neuer's first task in his fifth World Cup was to retrieve the ball from his net.

The Curacaoan players sprinted to the corner in a frenzy of joy. Their 78-year-old coach Dick Advocaat stood on the touchline with his arms raised like a triumphant gladiator. Behind him, substitutes and staff fell over each other in celebration, while a sea of blue shirts among the Houston crowd hugged and danced. This was not just a goal. It was a validation of Fifa's controversial decision to expand the tournament to 48 teams, giving smaller nations a stage to create indelible memories.

A team born of the Dutch system, but with Caribbean heart

It is tempting to paint Curacao as plucky amateurs, but the reality is more nuanced. Every player in their squad came through the Dutch football system, and the only member born on the island, Tahith Chong, left for Feyenoord's academy at the age of 10. They are professionals, many with Eredivisie experience, and Comenencia trained at Juventus's academy. Yet for an island of 150,000 people, almost half of whom could have fitted inside the NRG Stadium, this was an extraordinary achievement. Curacao only gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 2010 after centuries of Dutch rule, including a grim history as a hub for the Atlantic slave trade. When the Curacaoan journalist in the press box leaped from his seat and shouted 'We did it!' again and again, he was entitled to savour the moment.

The match had started ominously for Curacao. Germany took the lead after six minutes through Felix Nmecha, who was preferred to Leon Goretzka in midfield by Julian Nagelsmann. The former England youth international finished a neat one-two with Florian Wirtz, curling the ball into the far corner. But Curacao threatened on the counterattack, and their equaliser was not entirely against the run of play. It was a moment that vindicated the tournament's expanded format, showing that debutants can trouble even the most decorated sides.

Hydration break kills momentum, Germany take control

Just after Curacao's goal, a planned hydration break interrupted the flow. A Mariachi band appeared on a balcony, serenading the crowd while adverts played on the broadcast. The energy that Curacao had built fizzled away. Germany regained control, and Nico Schlotterbeck headed home an unmarked corner. Nmecha was then brought down in the box, and Kai Havertz converted the penalty despite the jeers from Curacao fans behind goalkeeper Eloy Room. Early in the second half, Kimmich slipped a precise pass to Jamal Musiala, who slotted past Room. Germany's best goal came from substitute Deniz Undav, who flicked the ball into the air for left back Nathaniel Brown to volley into the far corner. Undav added a sixth from close range, and Havertz's dinked finish for the seventh was sublime.

It was Germany's day. Havertz looked sharp and hungry leading the line, a crucial asset for their progress. Yet Curacao, whose fans greeted their players like heroes at the final whistle, can take heart from this heavy defeat on their World Cup debut. If they can score against Germany, they can score against anyone. The scoreline may be lopsided, but the memory of Comenencia's goal will last forever.