There are not many 7-1 games in which the one feels more significant than the seven. But Germany have scored many World Cup goals before and they will score many more. In contrast, Curacao’s goal here in Houston was a moment that will forever be etched into the country’s story.
The ball broke loose in the German penalty area and when it fell invitingly to right-back Livano Comenencia, stomachs tightened and eyes bulged. A stadium watched as Comenencia’s left-footed shot deflected off the underside of Germany captain Joshua Kimmich’s leg, into the ground and up over the outstretched hands of Manuel Neuer. Germany 1-1 Curacao, and Neuer’s first task in his fifth World Cup was to pick the ball out of the net.
