Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2

Germany prevailed in the first game of the 2006 World Cup. In a break from tradition, it was the German offense that performed very well without its superstar, Michael Ballack, while its defense looked suspect. Lahm for Germany scored a beautiful goal at the 6 minute mark from the left corner of the penalty box. He scorched it past the Ticos' keeper into the upper right V.

In a sign of things to come, Costa Rica's excellent forward, Wanchope, scored on a breakaway from a through ball after the Germans failed in an attempted offside trap to even the score in the 12th minute. In the 17th minute, Klose put Germany up one on an excellent pass from Schneider. From then on the Germans controlled the half.

In the second half the Germans continued to dominate the ball but had defensive lapses as well. Klose scored his second goal off a rebound of his own header after an excellent cross by Lahm. But, the German defense again let Wanchope score after the offside trap failed in the 73rd minute. Although, Wanchope was offside the linesman didn't call. Scoring ended in the 87th minute when Frings scored a rocket from 35 yards out.

In all, it was a good first outing for the Germans to work out the nerves. But, the Germans defense was very suspect in allowing two goals to Wanchope who was Costa Rica's only real threat for scoring. I bet the German fans are a bit nervous right now, but glad to have the country's World Cup under way.