Germany kicked off the World Cup 2006 as hosts when they beat Costa Rica 4-2 in an entertaining opening game on 9 June 2006.

Germany's line up was: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Frings, Borowski (Kehl 72), Schneider (Odonkor 90), Podolski, Klose (Neuville 79)

Costa Rica's line up was: Porras, Martin, Umana, Gonzalez, Martinez (Drummond 68), Fonseca, Solis (Bolanos 78), Centeno, Sequeria, Gomez, Wanchope

With ex-German striker Jurgen Klinsmann in charge of the German team, this German side was more attack minded than cautious which resulted in the highest ever score in an opening World Cup game. The new lighter football used for the tournament appeared to swerve more too and this will be a problem for goalkeepers throughout the World Cup.

Germany's attacking midfielder Michael Ballack sat the game out with a calf injury and Borowski deputised for him.

Phillip Lahm scored the first goal for Germany after six minutes with a curling shot from out on the left side than went in off the post. But then six minutes later Paulo Wanchope broke the German offside trap and beat Jens Lehmann in goal to equalise.

After 17 minutes Germany took the lead again when Miroslav Klose connected with a cross from Bastian Schweinseiger. Klose then got his second goal after half time (62 minutes) when he headed against the post and then put in the rebound.

                         
                 Frings scores Germany's fourth goal from well outside the penalty box

Wanchope brought the score back to 3-2 ten minutes later when he accelerated past Germany's slow defense and beat Lehmann again. Germany made the game safe three minutes from time when Torsten Frings scored the best of the goals with a 30 yard powerful shot - the ball moved in the air and went in at the top corner giving Porras no chance of saving it.

Later on that evening Ecuador beat Poland 2-0 which means Germany should qualify for the second round if they beat Poland in their next match - see the World Cup screen chart here for all the fixtures and results.