According to FAZ, the DFB team’s tournament start against the World Cup debutants from the Caribbean was not world-class over 90 minutes. Felix Nmecha’s early goal in the 6th minute, Germany conceded an equalizer through Livano Comenencia (21′). However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side showed the right response: Nico Schlotterbeck scored his first international goal in the 28th minute, and Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to make it 3-1.
After the break, Jamal Musiala (47′), World Cup debutant Nathaniel Brown (68′), substitute Deniz Undav (78′), and Havertz again (88′) secured Germany’s second-highest World Cup victory. Thanks to the new format, where eight third-placed teams also advance, a third group-stage exit after 2018 and 2022 is practically ruled out. The next opponents are Ivory Coast (June 20) and Ecuador (June 25).
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made his comeback after two years and became Germany’s record goalkeeper with his 20th World Cup match. “I go into my fifth World Cup with positive thoughts,” Neuer said on MagentaTV. Head coach Nagelsmann praised the 40-year-old on ARD as a “calming factor” and one of the best goalkeepers in the world. EuroPulse reported on June 12, 2026, about Nico Schlotterbeck’s statement that in the end, performance counts (https://europulse.today/nico-schlotterbeck-im-endeffekt-zaehlt-die-leistung/).
Source: www.faz.net
