Germany vs Curacao LIVE: Felix Nmecha smokes in opening goal as Germans lead tournament debutants

After a lovely curled effort to open the scores, Felix Nmecha is feeling himself. His latest effort is a powerful drive from outside the area that flies past the post – but not by much. Into 10 minutes played.

Lawrence Ostlere inside the NRG Stadium:

Germany’s early probing culiminates in a goal just after five minutes. Jamal Musiala had his initial effort blocked, but the Germans recycle possession – Felix Nmecha plays a smart one-two with Florian Wirtz on the edge of the area, curling home into the far corner.

Curacao start their debut World Cup campaign by kicking this one off. Germany are in their traditional white shirts and black shorts, whilst Curacao are in blue shirts and yellow shorts.

Kick off is moments away, and we’re onto the ceremonies for each side’s national anthem. Germany to sing first.

Morocco made World Cup history with 11 players on the pitch all born outside of the country. Curacao also rely on their diaspora – with just one player born on the island featured in their 26-man squad.

However, that player is Tahith Chong, a key attacking feature for Curacao and is likely to play as much as possible.

Lawrence Ostlere inside the NRG Stadium:

Germany have lost the opening game of their World Cup campaign on just three occasions across 21 tournaments. The problem? Two of those defeats have come in their last two World Cups.

Then reigning champions entering the 2018 World Cup, Germany lost 1-0 to Mexico before finishing bottom of their group. Four years (and five months) later the Germans again lost their opener – 2-1 to Japan – before failing to qualify for the knockouts.

Defeat to Curacao would top those embarrassments – even if the Germans recovered to qualify.

The island nation may be the smallest country to qualify in World Cup history, but there are plenty of recognisable names to English football fans.

Brothers Leandro and Juninho Bacuna have played over 200 games each in England, whilst Tahith Chong came through the ranks at Manchester United.

Manager Dick Advocaat is familiar to English football thanks to his spell managing Sunderland.

The headline news from the German camp is that legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Arsenal striker Kai Havertz will start this evening.

Neuer is rewarded for ending his international retirement, quitting the German team after the 2024 Euros, with Oliver Baumann dropped.

Newcastle frontman Nick Woltemade had been Julian Nagelsmann’s preferred striker during qualifying, but Havertz gets the nod.