06/14/26 01:05:00
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06/14 13:04 CDT Germany surges to a 3-1 halftime lead as Curacao nets its 1st
World Cup goal
Germany surges to a 3-1 halftime lead as Curacao nets its 1st World Cup goal
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- Germany led 3-1 at halftime Sunday against Curacao in its
World Cup debut, with the tiny island nation scoring its first goal and staying
level with the four-time champions until near the end of the half in a group
match.
Livano Comenencia tied it with his left-footed shot through traffic from the
center of the box in the 21st minute to give Curacao its first goal in the
tournament and send fans of the Blue Wave into a frenzy.
Germany regained the lead on Nico Schlotterbeck's header off Nathaniel Brown's
corner kick in the 38th minute.
Kai Havertz connected on a penalty shot into the left goal in first half
stoppage time to make it 3-1. Germany was awarded the penalty shot after Felix
Nmecha was tripped in the box by Riechedly Bazoer.
Germany seeks redemption after failing to get out of the group stage in Russia
and Qatar following its 2014 title.
Nmecha one timed it with his right foot into the near post just inside the
upper box with an assist from Florian Wirtz in the sixth minute to make it 1-0.
The crowd was overwhelming rooting for Germany but there was a spirited
contingent of people cheering on Curacao as it became the smallest country to
ever appear in the tournament.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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