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Germany are four-time world champions, while Curacao won’t make its World Cup debut until 2026. The two teams aren’t evenly matched, but for at least a brief moment in their group stage match in Houston on Sunday, they were exactly even.
The Germans, who entered the match as heavy favourites, got off to the perfect start, taking a 1-0 lead after just six minutes of the match. In other words, the match started exactly as expected, but then came the unexpected in what is undoubtedly the highlight of the tournament so far.
While chasing the ball as Germany completely dominated possession, Curacao managed to keep things under control, and not only settle into the match, but make it one by scoring the nation’s first ever goal in World Cup history.
Livano Comenencia #8 of Curacao celebrates his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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Livano Comenencia, a 22-year-old defender who plays professionally in Switzerland, is the man responsible for this historic moment.
The approximately 7,000 Curacao fans inside the NRG Stadium celebrated the occasion accordingly.
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Germany regained the momentum of their own with a goal from a corner in the 38th minute, but Curacao’s goal was a sure victory in itself.
Livano Comenencia #8 of Curacao celebrates with Juninho Bacuna #7 after scoring the team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Julian Finney – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
To say that Curacao is the underdog, and not just against Germany but throughout the tournament, would be an understatement, given that the Caribbean island’s population is around 160,000. The population of Houston, host city of the match, alone counts 2.4 million inhabitants.
Germany has around 83 million inhabitants.
Curacao fans cheer in the stands during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Curacao, ranked 82nd in the FIFA rankings, qualified for its first World Cup in style by remaining undefeated and winning CONCACAF Group B against Jamaica, Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Curaçao national team is made up almost entirely of Dutch players who have personally chosen to represent their families who left the islands and came to the Netherlands. The team is led by Dick Advocaat, 78, who took the Dutch to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup hosted in the United States.
