World Cup: Why Dick Advocaat Cried Before Germany vs Curacao

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His passion for sports extends further than football, as he has covered several sports for GMS, including Boxing, Tennis, and Wrestling. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account It's been an emotional few months for legendary football manager Dick Advocaat, who couldn't hide his emotions ahead of Curacao's World Cup debut against Germany on Sunday.

The 78-year-old has managed the Netherlands, Rangers, Sunderland and Belgium among many other clubs and national sides over a managerial career that started all the way back in 1980. He created history by guiding Curacao to the biggest international competition in the world.

The Dutch Caribbean island, which is owned by the Netherlands, is the smallest nation to ever play at the World Cup finals. With a population of fewer than 200,000 people, it's a truly remarkable story.

The minuscule nation were given an extremely difficult task on the opening day of their 2026 World Cup campaign, facing four-time winners Germany. Julian Nagelsmann's side took an early lead before being shocked by yet another historic moment.

In the 21st minute, Livano Comenencia smashed the ball past Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal to become his country's first-ever World Cup scorer. The scenes inside Houston Stadium were incredible.

They may have gone on to be easily beaten by die Mannschaft, but it was still a surreal moment for those wearing blue on the pitch and in the stands. One man who certainly felt the emotions of the occasion was the manager.

It's not hard to understand why. After all, he stepped down as the national team manager after successfully guiding Curacao to the World Cup in order to look after his ill daughter.

He walked away from being on the touchline, but thanks to an improvement in his daughter's condition, he stepped back in to take charge. In doing so, he has now become the oldest manager in World Cup history. It's safe to say it's been a roller coaster of emotions for the iconic Dutchman in recent months.

Ahead of his side's heavy defeat against Germany, Advocaat spoke about how Curacao had to make it difficult for the opposition to play against them. "We are a small country compared to Germany, ​but we will make life difficult for them and be ⁠a tough team to play," he said (per The Sun).

The 34-year-old was denied the opportunity to become the first from his nation to officiate a World Cup this summer, but has been paid handsomely.

His pride was evident as he pointed out they've achieved something special just by qualifying. He added: "We have nothing to lose. The expectation is not that high ‌outside ⁠of us as a squad, because we think we can surprise people. Just being here is great for the players and the country, but we also have to show people what we are made of."