Individual criticism of the DFB team: Nmecha and Brown shine, Havertz and Undav ice cold

Individual criticism

As of: June 14, 2026 • 10:07 p.m

Germany started the World Cup successfully and convincingly overall. Kai Havertz and Felix Nmecha shone with their goals in the 7:1 (3:1) win against Curacao. Remarkable: The jokers around Deniz Undav were also convincing. The individual criticism.

The first half was a bit bumpy for a long time, with the DFB team using set pieces to thwart the cheeky outsiders. Unlike some other nations, Germany can be very happy with their start to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. And the game showed that the whole team is excited for this tournament.

Manuel Neuer: In his first action in his 125th international match, he had to get the ball out of the net. Was unlucky that the shot was deflected. As expected, not very busy overall. Made another bad pass on the throw-off. He was always there when he was needed – at least a little.

Joshua Kimmich (until 83): For a long time it wasn’t a factor in the game against the 82nd in the FIFA world rankings and was only visible in the set pieces. But there was no danger on his right side either. His first action in the second half was impressive; his pass to Musiala before making it 4-1 was just as exemplary as his pass to make it 6-1.

Jonathan Tah (until 73rd): Appeared unusually inhibited on his World Cup debut. The defense chief made a slight mistake in building up the game and didn’t do a good job of equalizing. His loss of the ball shortly before the break, when he complained instead of running after it, was telling. His long ball to Sané was strong, but he missed the ball in front of the goal. Tah improved as the game progressed, but it was one of his weaker games.

Nico Schlotterbeck: He seemed wide awake from the start as he nipped several of Curacao’s offensive actions in the bud in the early stages. Like the man next to him, he didn’t look good at 1-1, but did everything he could to take the lead again. His third header after a corner made it 2-1 – very strong, as he broke away from the opponent before his first goal for the national team. His biceps cheer showed his confidence. Schlotterbeck is eager for a successful World Cup.

Nathaniel Brown (until 73rd): Was often more of a left winger than a left back. Strong pass to Wirtz in the early stages. Was allowed to take responsibility: Schlotterbeck headed in his corner with the left. A courageous tournament debut, for which he rewarded himself with his first international goal to make it 5-1. This game will definitely never be forgotten.

Aleksandar Pavlovic: Set a strong example early on. Otherwise, he shone above all with his offensive drive. His lob on Nmecha was worth seeing. I was unlucky in the end, two promising shots were blocked. Nevertheless, he played a large part in making the team increasingly safer. And he stayed on air until the end, when he courageously destroyed a great Curacao chance in stoppage time.

Felix Nmecha (until 73rd): First World Cup game, first goal – perfect shot after a one-two with Wirtz. Looked excited at the start and could have scored another goal. Didn’t get into the duel before the 1:1, but later came back strongly and won the penalty to make it 3:1. Impressively underpinned his claim to a regular place.

Leroy Sane: In terms of performance, he fell short next to the creative minds in the offensive line. Not determined enough about his own opportunities. He held the right side too much and was rarely involved in the interaction. The national coach gave him time to get further into shape. But not much help.

Jamal Musiala (until 64): It was clear from the start that he wanted to repay the national coach’s trust. Everything he did, he did at high speed. So he got his first chance early on. He lacked accuracy before the break. It was completely different immediately after the break, when he deliberately slotted in to make it 4-1. Was the first to be substituted, but the minutes will help him on his way back to his best.

Florian Wirtz: Was the linchpin in the German game. Strong his layup before the 1-0. Just missed the goal with his first own shot; his pass to Sané would also have deserved a goal. Overall, a performance that gives hope for a strong World Cup. After the break it wasn’t so noticeable anymore.

Kai Havertz: Variable play from the center forward, who was on the pitch a lot. However, he was rarely showcased by his teammates. Before the penalty, Kimmich had already tucked the game equipment under his arm, but in the end Havertz grabbed the ball and made it 3-1. He also showed his class after the break: in the 6-1 he played the penultimate pass, his sprint and the lob to the final score were really classy.

Substitute:

Deniz Undav (64th for Musiala): Joker bet used! It didn’t take the street footballer long to get into the game. His on-the-toe pass to scorer Brown was really great. Just as present of mind with his assist before the 7:1. In between, he showed his goalscoring qualities when he coldly converted Kimmich’s pass to make it 6-1.

Leon Goretzka (73rd for Nmecha): Quickly distributed a few balls in midfield and headed a corner out of the danger zone. His tackle two minutes before the end was very strong, with which he made the 7-1 possible.

David Raum (73rd for Brown): Played no less offensively than his predecessor and was involved in the creation of the sixth goal. With his good finish he was defeated by keeper Eloy Room.

Antonio Rüdiger (73rd for Tah) and Waldemar Anton (83rd for Kimmich) came in in the final stages to secure the result. Were asked a few more times in duels and solved the tasks confidently.