In a stunning display of offensive prowess, Germany etched their name into World Cup history on Sunday by surpassing Brazil’s long-standing record for the most goals scored in the tournament’s history. The milestone was achieved after a resounding 7-1 victory over Curacao in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
The decisive moment came when Kai Havertz netted his second goal of the match, which also proved to be Germany’s 239th goal in World Cup competition. This remarkable feat edged them past Brazil’s previous record of 238 goals, a mark that had stood for decades.
Havertz was the star of the show with a brace, but he received ample support from his teammates. Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, and Denis Undav each contributed a goal to the emphatic victory, showcasing Germany’s depth and attacking firepower.
For context, Brazil had moved to 238 goals following a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday, where Vinicius Jr. scored the solitary goal for the Seleção. However, Germany’s explosive performance in their group opener allowed them to leapfrog the five-time champions and claim the all-time scoring record.
With both teams set to play their next group matches soon—Brazil facing Haiti on Friday and Germany taking on Ivory Coast on Saturday—the battle for the record is far from over. Brazil will have the opportunity to level or exceed Germany’s tally, but for now, the Germans hold the bragging rights.