Germany Thrash Curacao 7-1 as Japan and Netherlands Draw in Late Drama

Germany delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, crushing Curacao 7-1 in a one-sided World Cup display that showed the full force of the German attack.

Thomas Muller opened the scoring in the fifth minute, giving Germany an early lead and setting the tone for what looked like a long night for Curacao. The Caribbean side briefly answered through Comenencia in the 20th minute, leveling the match and raising hopes of an upset.

That hope did not last.

Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead in the 37th minute, before Serge Gnabry converted a penalty just before halftime to make it 3-1. From there, Germany took complete control.

Jamal Musiala added the fourth shortly after the break, Julian Brandt made it five in the 67th minute, and Robert Andrich scored Germany’s sixth in the 77th. Gnabry then completed his brace in the 87th minute, sealing a 7-1 win and a statement performance for the European side.

Elsewhere, Japan and the Netherlands played out a dramatic 2-2 draw after a wild second half. Following a goalless opening 45 minutes, Virgil van Dijk put the Dutch ahead in the 51st minute from a Ryan Gravenberch assist.

Japan responded quickly, with Keito Nakamura equalizing in the 57th minute after being set up by Takefusa Kubo. Seven minutes later, the Netherlands were in front again, as Crysencio Summerville restored the lead, once again with Gravenberch providing the assist.

Japan pushed forward in search of a second equalizer and finally found it in the 88th minute. Daichi Kamada finished from a Koki Ogawa pass to make it 2-2 and earn Japan a point from a match that could have gone either way.

Ivory Coast also produced late drama, beating Ecuador 1-0 with a goal in the final seconds of regulation time.

The match had been tight, physical and tactical, with few clear chances for either side. Ecuador looked set to hold on for a draw, but Ivory Coast substitute Amad Diallo changed the game after coming off the bench in the 55th minute.

In the 89th minute, Diallo received the ball from Sinaly Diomande and fired home the winner, giving Ivory Coast a narrow but valuable victory.

It was a night of lopsided dominance, late goals and major tournament tension. Germany made the loudest statement, Japan showed character, and Ivory Coast found a way to win when it mattered most.