Bitter-sweet debut for Curacaopublished at 10:30 BST
10:30 BST
Germany 7-1 Curacao
Alex Hoad
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It was fun for a while as Curacao showed great spirit and had Germany concerned when they levelled.
There may be lingering headaches too, especially for their supporters, following their debut on football’s biggest stage – perhaps fitting for a nation most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name.
But the emotions will be bitter-sweet, which also seems apt, after their dream start was ruined by a ruthless Germany.
History was made as the Blue Wave were introduced to the world and Livano Comenencia struck a memorable first goal, while boss Dick Advocaat, once of Sunderland and Rangers and a three-time Netherlands boss, became the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78 years and 260 days old.
Curacao were, however, the first debutants in 72 years to lose by six goals in their first match, following South Korea’s 9-0 defeat by Hungary.
Labelled the biggest mismatch at the tournament according to the bookmakers, it was always going to be a tough test against a side as experienced as Germany.
They showed enterprise in attack, but were too open at the back, and their best hopes of making an impact at the tournament were always going to be in the remaining group games against the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Advocaat admitted: “We expected to do more, but they were too strong. We conceded three easy goals and 4-1 would have been a better score.
“Despite this 7-1 outcome, the joy of the fans is fantastic. This is not a disgrace, we can still be proud. We still have two games to go and those could end differently.
“The players will not be downcast, it was still great to play in this game.”