ANALYSIS: How dominant Germany blew Curacao away despite defensive concerns | OneFootball

Favourites Germany secured a heavy 7-1 win against World Cup debutants Curacao at Houston’s NRG stadium, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Die Mannschaft.

Following Felix Nmecha’s sixth-minute opener, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were briefly rattled by an equaliser from the tournament’s smallest country, before ultimately taking control thanks to goals from Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Denis Undav and a brace from Kai Havertz.

Overall, this was a strong attacking display from the four-time champions, but there are a few significant frailties that need to be addressed before their next Group E match against the Ivory Coast.

FromTheSpot analyses what Germany did well, and where they need to improve as they seek to draw level with Brazil on five World Cups.

Dominant German frontline lays down marker to competition rivals

This was by some distance the best attacking display of the tournament so far. Nmecha laid the groundwork after just six minutes with a sensational strike, before goals from Schlotterbeck, Havertz, Musiala, Brown and Undav underlined Germany’s intent. Undav in particular, underlined his status as one to watch during this summer’s competition, with his goal off the bench his tenth in just seven matches. The Stuttgart striker also managed two assists in a superb all-around performance.

But it wasn’t just about the goals, with Die Nationalelf’s quality in the buildup also encouraging. Musiala and Florian Wirtz in particular combined well, managing six key chances and five successful dribbles between them.

Set-piece prowess helps Die Mannschaft take control

Set pieces were also a crucial weapon for Germany. Nagelsmann’s side has developed a reputation in recent months for being effective from dead-ball situations, and that effectiveness was on full display as Schlotterbeck headed home from Brown’s delivery to put DFB-Elf 2-1 up. Die Mannschaft had further opportunities both before and after the Dortmund CB’s goal as they repeatedly showcased their aerial dominance over a Curacao side inexperienced on the big stage.

Poor defence poses worrying signs for Germany’s tournament future

One area of concern for the Germans will be the amount of space they left in behind for the Blue Wave to exploit. Dick Advocaat’s side tired as the match went on and often lacked the quality to take advantage of such situations, but against other big sides, such sloppiness is likely to be harshly punished. Jonathan Tah was especially poor. The Bayern Munich centre back made one meagre defensive contribution, failed to win any of his ground or aerial duels and committed two fouls in a display to forget.

Nagelsmann’s men also looked vulnerable on the counter, particularly in the first half, and struggled to deal with the Blue Wave’s pressing intensity. With a little more quality, the Caribbeans could’ve netted at least another couple of goals and put the DFB-Team in serious trouble, having been well on top before their momentum was halted by the first hydration break.

Thanks to the size of tonight’s scoreline, Germany are pretty much guaranteed to qualify from Group E in third place, even if they lose against the Ivory Coast and Ecuador. But for all their firepower up front, Die Mannschaft have obvious defensive weaknesses, and a failure to address them will bring their quest for a fifth World Cup to a swift end in the knockout stages.