Germany start the tournament in style

Germany 4 - Philip Lahm (6), Miroslav Klose (17) (61), Torsten Frings (87)
Costa Rica 2 - Paulo Wanchope (12) (73)

Hosts Germany got on to an excellent start by defeating Costa Rica in this very attack-minded game. Both teams must be credited for their open play and this curtain-raiser proved to a much better affair than any other opening World Cup games in the recent past.

Germany scored two wonderful goals through Lahm and Frings and in between Klose (pix) did a good poaching job any good striker would do.

Costa Rica on their part provided their fair share in this very open game and scored two sweet goals through their veteran striker Wanchope.

The only concern for the Germans would be the way their defence struggled to contain the through balls from Costa Rican midfielders. A much better opponent would have had more scoring chances and could have converted a few.

Ecuador vs Poland

In the day’s second game, Ecuador defeated Poland by two goals to nothing. The first goal was scored by Carlos Tenorio in the 23rd minute (pix) while Agustin Delgado scored the second in the 80th.

The South Americans scored their second goal against the run of play as Poland saw more of the ball in the second half. They were however frustrated by some stout defending and excellent goalkeeping by Ecuador. And they hit the woodwork twice in this sustained period of pressure.

Only last November, Poland defeated Ecuador 3-0 in a friendly and today they failed to repeat that feat.

This result means Germany and Ecuador now lead Group A with three points each but the Germans are on top on goal difference.

Germany next play Poland on June 14 while Ecuador will meet Costa Rica on June 15.