4-2
Not a scoreline Germans are normally related with but still they beat Costa Rica by 4 goals to 2 in what has to be the best opening game in the World Cup I've seen. Usually tenuous and tedious, opening games tended towards the safe and conservative, defensive games where the hosts score one and hang on. Not this German side though. Klinnsman, perhaps as famous for scoring goals as he is for diving has lent some of that flair and artistry into creating an attacking side. Injecting lots of youth and young manhood with the likes of Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder and Podolski to name a few, the Germans now look nothing like the aged dinosaurs of previous campaigns.
So on the German front, at least the attack appears to be great and the football easy on the eyes. Their defence though, lacks solidity, with Friedrich responsible for playing Wanchope onside twice for both the Costa Rican goals. Lahm was the unlikely first scorer of the tournament after just 5 minutes, the left back curling in a right foot shot which looped over the keeper, testament to the swervy new ball. Wanchope replied soon after before Schneider's breakthrough found Schweinsteiger, whose cross/shot found the lurking Klose. It was a blistering opening 17 minutes. Then game settled and lost some of its verve, until Wanchope scored again around the 70 minute mark, another simple through ball creating the opportunity. A late strike from 35 yards from Frings sealed things for the Germans who pick up 3 points.
If this is going to be a yardstick for what this World Cup's gonna be, then it's gonna be a great one.
Man of the match - Phillip Lahm. The left back was a constant menace, marauding down the left flank and could have scored more than one.
Germany - Lots of attacking intent, with Klose a key player up front. Having played without Ballack, you'd expect them to be even better in the next game. Mertesacker, Metzelder and Friedrich were awful though, Friedrich culpable for both goals conceded and the two center backs often caught out. Will probably top the group and with home support, they should at least make the quarters.
Costa Rica - Vintage form from the small Central American nation. 5-2 against Brazil last time out and now 4-2. They can score as long as they have the ungainly Wanchope but they haven't got enough quality overall. They'll be deflated after this result and they'll find it hard against Poland and Ecuador, which typically play defensively. Good to watch but unlikely to make it through unless the others slip up.
Highlight - Frings' Gerrard-esque 30 yarder on 86 minutes. Quality strike.
