Germany v Costa Rica - Match Report

Klose inspires Germany to opening win

Host nation Germany got the World Cup start they wanted with a 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the opening match of the finals on Friday.

Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose celebrated his 28th birthday with his 25th and 26th international goals to appease the home supporters, although cries from the capacity crowd suggest they were not fully convinced.

Despite being deprived of their injured captain Michael Ballack, Germany were too strong for Costa Rica, but the two goals from former West Ham United and Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope will worry manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

However three points are on the board and they give Germany something to build on ahead of their next Group A match against Poland in Dortmund on Wednesday.

Germany wanted an early goal and defender Philipp Lahm duly obliged in the seventh minute, cutting in from the left to curl a right-footed shot into the top corner.

It was expected to open the floodgates but Costa Rica equalised five minutes later through Wanchope.

The gangly Wanchope broke the offside trap to drill a low shot past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, making his World Cup debut, who could do nothing about it.

But the visitors looked fragile at the back and in the 17th minute Germany restored their lead through Klose.

Klose had the simple task of rolling the ball into an unguarded net after Bastian Schweinsteiger shot into his path.

But while Germany looked dangerous going forward their defence looked uncertain.

Klose gave the hosts the breathing space they craved when he struck his second goal on 62 minutes, looping the ball into the net after his initial header was saved.

Wanchope pulled one back in the 73rd minute as the German defence went AWOL again but that did not stop the hosts pouring forward and Torsten Frings scored six minutes from time with a great strike from distance.

The six goals were a record for an opening match.

German fans chanted 'Berlin, Berlin, we are going to Berlin (for the final)' but Klinsmann knows there will be tougher hurdles than Costa Rica if they are to reach the final in the capital on July 9.