Hosts Germany are leading Costa Rica 2-1 after 45 minutes of the opening match of World Cup 2006. In a relatively comfortable first half for the Germans they played some quality football and looked dangerous going forward. The Costa Rican’s were content to soak up the pressure and try to play on the break.

In a pulsating opening twenty minutes Germany dominated and took an early lead when, after 6 minutes, Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm picked up the ball on the left edge of the Costa Rica penalty area and fired a stunning right-footed shot curling into the top far corner of the net.

Three minutes later Germany were threatening again, Werder Bremen’s Miroslav Klose and Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Schneider both had half-chances snuffed out by the Costa Rican defence.

Costa Rica produced a shock equaliser with 11 minutes gone, Club Sport Herediano’s Paulo Wanchope beat the German off-side trap and scored with a shot through the legs of Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann.

Germany restored their lead after 17 minutes when Klose converted from close range following a flowing move on the right involving Schneider and Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The latter part of the half was less eventful with Germany dominating, but few opportunities created.

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