Nathaniel Brown: The day before the game, the national coach gave Frankfurt’s confidence in the left-back position over the previous regular player David Raum, and Brown fully justified it on the day of the game. May kick the corners from the right with the left. One of them landed precisely on Nico Schlotterbeck’s head at 2-1. Also initiated the 3-1 with a back pass to Felix Nmecha, who was fouled in the penalty area. Crowned his strong performance with a volley goal from the right to make it 5-1.
Nico Schlotterbeck: At first he was just as unfortunate as he was at the start of the 2022 World Cup, when he made a mistake in the defeat against Japan. When the goal was conceded, he first fended off the ball with a half-hearted intervention towards the opponent, then he laid the ball on to Livano Comenencia. However, it was also dangerous on the other side. As the first target player on free kicks and corners, he was denied by the goalkeeper, but then scored to make it 2-1. But it was also good for a bad pass.
Jonathan Tah: Didn’t always exude the authority that a defense chief should exude, especially when the opponent is called Curaçao. At times seemed a little slow in the head and legs and preferred to argue with the assistant referee rather than run after the opponent. His careless loss of the ball led to Curaçao’s first dangerous advance.
Joshua Kimmich: The captain has played better games and even if, as a right-back in the national coach’s system, he repeatedly moved into the half-right midfield position, the feeling remained that he was sometimes too far away from the shot. Was unlucky when he took an unstoppable deflection with his knee in the 1-1 draw for Neuer. He won the duel with the referee who was standing in his way in front of a cross. Later initiated Jamal Musiala’s goal, then kept an overview in the penalty area and presented the ball to Undav.
Aleksandar Pavlovic: As usual, took over the more defensive role in the double six in the defensive midfield alongside Felix Nmecha. Had a bit of trouble with the opponents who were keen to play. Went from the game’s engine room to the bridge from time to time. His shot with his left was blocked. Made one or two unnecessary fouls.
Felix Nmecha: Started the game strongly, as usual from the preparation, and was almost logically the first German goalscorer of the 2026 World Cup campaign. His shot after Florian Wirtz’s lay-off was unstoppable. Just missed the second goal a little later. Was fouled before the penalty after a clever physical deception. His dynamism and his feints can still become an important factor in the German game.
Florian Wirtz: He always had unclean actions in his game that a future World Cup star shouldn’t allow himself. But then he shone again with his small, delicate ball contacts, which look simple but are as tricky as the lay-off to Nmecha before the 1-0 lead. The strong opponents against whom a World Cup star has to shine are coming. Soon.
Jamal Musiala: The national coach rated Musiala as better than many other players at 70 percent. What percentage is Musiala at one year after his serious injury? Not at 100. He keeps trying to be the contortionist he once was, but his movements aren’t as smooth as usual. Dribbled briskly again and again, but didn’t always reach the goal with the ball. When he didn’t dribble but shot directly, the score was 4-1. Positive: his hard work on defense.
Leroy Sane: Showed why Lennart Karl should have been the choice for the right offensive player position at this World Cup. Sometimes seemed unhappy during the actions and struggled with it. Backheel tricks look nice, but are dangerous in your own half if the ball ends up at the opponent. Had a great chance after receiving the ball that was worth seeing, but shot wide of the goal.
Deniz Undav: Came on for Musiala after just over an hour of play and took his position behind the sneaking Havertz. The quota striker lived up to his reputation: an assist with a heel to Brown at 5:1, a goal to make it 6:1 when he used Kimmich’s assist, an assist to Havertz before the 7:1. His quota: ten international matches, seven goals, four assists.
David Space: Replaced Brown so he could get his deserved applause in Houston. But for the time being there will be no chance of making it to the starting eleven.
Leon Goretzka: Was substituted for Nmecha, but did not show his quality in the double six position with a more offensive orientation. Missed a late goal when his hip didn’t move when the ball was dropped.
Antonio Rüdiger: Came into the game for defense chief Tah and no longer had a task to solve that particularly challenged him against a tired opponent.
Waldemar Anton: The captain’s first substitute was allowed to collect a few World Cup minutes at right back when he came on late in the game for Kimmich.
