HOUSTON (DA) — Curaçao’s first FIFA World Cup match produced more than a historic debut. It also delivered the country’s first World Cup goal, a scoring milestone for Livano Comenencia, a standout defensive performance from Juninho Bacuna and two tournament records for coach Dick Advocaat.
Comenencia scored in the 21st minute of Curaçao’s 7-1 loss to Germany in Group E on Sunday at Houston Stadium, turning the country’s first shot on target in World Cup history into its first goal at the tournament.
Curaçao became the first nation to score within the opening 21 minutes of its World Cup debut since Nigeria scored in the 21st minute against Bulgaria in its first World Cup appearance in 1994.
Comenencia scored with his first career shot at a World Cup. The goal came after he went scoreless in 1,522 minutes for FC Zürich during the Swiss Super League season, when he registered one shot on target.
At 22 years and 131 days old, Comenencia became the second-youngest goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup, behind Australia’s Nestory Irakunda, who was 20 years and 125 days old. Comenencia also became the youngest CONCACAF player to score at a World Cup since Canada’s Alphonso Davies in 2022.
Bacuna also made his mark in Curaçao’s debut. He finished with five interceptions against Germany, the highest total by any player in a single match at the 2026 World Cup so far.
Bacuna attempted eight dribbles, the second-highest total in the tournament behind Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, who attempted nine against Morocco. He also led all players in defensive actions won against Germany, another marker of Curaçao’s effort in its first match on the world’s biggest stage.
Advocaat also entered the record book in Curaçao’s debut. At 78 years and 260 days old, he became the oldest manager in World Cup history.
The match also gave Advocaat the longest span between a coach’s first and most recent World Cup match, with 32 years separating his tournament appearances in 1994 and 2026.
Curaçao will play its second Group E match against Ecuador on June 20 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.