By Chris O'Brien
June 9 2006

The World Cup is finally underway following a pulsating opening day. Germany, the host nation, overcame potential 'banana skin' Costa Rica in thrilling fashion with a hard-fought 4-2 win. However, Ecuador may be the unlikely name spread across the back pages as they shock Poland in Gelsenkirchen.

In glorious sunshine, the waiting finally ended as some one million football fans descended on Germany for the opening day of the 2006 World Cup.

Those lucky enough to attend one of the opening day's brace of matches were treated by two fabulous games which gave us an insight into what the next month will hopefully be all about. Germany, under-pressure to kick-off with three wins, were pushed all the way by a battling Costa Rican side who were eventually let down by their defensive frailties.

Miroslav Klose, once a United target, struck twice for the hosts, but the headlines will belong to Philip Lahm and Torsten Frings who astonished 64,950 spectators with two stunning strikes that deserved to win any game. However, the Central Americas silenced the doubters with an impressive performance and Paulo Wanchope, perhaps their most well-known star, bagged a brace to worry most fans in attendance and to also make himself an unlikely early contender for the Golden Boot award.

Meanwhile, at the AufSchalke Arena, Ecuador caused something of an upset as they secured a 2-0 win over Poland. Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado both found the net, with the backline doing its job impressively as the much-fancied Europeans squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal. Watched by some 52,000, this result throws Group A wide open from the very beginning.

Results:
Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
Poland 0-2 Ecuador

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