Germany vs Curaçao Match Preview | OneFootball

The Group E will open with a true David vs Goliath matchup. The four-time world champions Germany will take on Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify who will play their first World Cup games this month.

On paper, there is a world of difference between these two teams. But like the old saying goes, football is played on grass and not on paper. So we might be in for a surprise.

After all, Germany lost to South Korea in 2018 and Japan in 2022. Although Curaçao are well below those Asian teams, it shows Germany that they can’t underestimate any teams at the World Cup.

Germany’s Form

Germany are on fire coming into this game. Since their loss to Slovakia in September, they’ve won every single game. That’s nine wins in a row, absolutely incredible.

It’s not just the wins, but their attack has been amazing as well. In those nine games, they scored 28 goals. They’d be licking their chops at an inexperienced Curaçao side ranked all the way down in 82nd in FIFA rankings.

There is an argument to be made that club managers don’t translate well to international football, but Julian Nagelsmann is proving that theory wrong. He has his boys on absolute peak form heading into the tournament and there is a reason why they are one of the favorites.

Get more insights from Germany’s World Cup profile

Curaçao’s Form

If Germany are on fire, then Curaçao are a complete opposite. They’ve simply looked awful in their friendlies.

Since drawing 0-0 with Jamaica in November to qualify for the World Cup, Curaçao have played three friendlies, and lost all of them.

They suffered a 2-0 loss to China, a 5-1 loss to Australia, and a 4-1 loss to Scotland. They gave up 11 goals in three games, and none of those teams are a world class side. So their defending looks like a recipe for disaster going up against a lethal German side scoring goals for fun.

The only positive for them is the return of Dick Advocaat, who walked away from the job after qualifying to take care of his sick daughter. Now that he is back, the vastly experienced manager has his work cut out for him. Can he prepare them to handle Germany? That’s a massive challenge.

Get more insights from Curaçao’s World Cup profile

The Hooligan Take

After back-to-back World Cup group stage exits, Germany will be looking to make a statement this summer.

Getting the first game against Curaçao will just ease pressure off of them. It should be a very comfortable game, where they can score five-six goals to show the world they’ve arrived in the U.S.

The German attacking trio of Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz are among the best attacking trios in this World Cup. They’re going to show up and be unstoppable on Sunday. For Curaçao, they’d need a miracle and a massive performance from their goalkeeper Eloy Room, who plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship.

The Carribean side should just be happy they are here playing at the World Cup, because even getting one point in this group seems nearly impossible.

Expected Starting XIs

Germany (4-2-3-1)Manuel Neuer; Nathan Brown, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich; Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha; Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane; Kai Havertz.

Curaçao (3-4-3)Eloy Room; Armando Obispo, Riechedly Bazoer, Jurien Gaari; Deveron Fonville, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Sherel Floranus; Juninho Bacuna, Jurgen Locadia, Tahith Chong.

Prediction: Germany 6-0 Curaçao