Key facts
- Germany's Livano Comenencia scored the team's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
- The goal equalized the score against debutants Curacao in the 23rd minute.
- The goal came after a shot deflected off a Germany defender.
- Curacao is the smallest country ever to compete at the World Cup.
- Manuel Neuer is Germany's goalkeeper and made his fifth World Cup appearance.
Germany's Livano Comenencia scored the team's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal in the 23rd minute, equalizing against debutants Curacao in their Group E match. The goal came after a shot deflected off a German defender and past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was fit to start after a calf injury. Curacao, the Dutch Caribbean island nation with a population of 150,000, is the smallest country ever to compete at the World Cup. Germany had been seeking a strong start, having not won their World Cup opening game since 2014, and manager Julian Nagelsmann had cautioned against underestimating the underdog debutants. Nathaniel Brown was also expected to make his World Cup debut at left-back, and Jamal Musiala was anticipated to start despite not being at peak fitness.