World Cup Ball Produces Six Goals in Opening Game Thriller

Germany vs Costa Rica
München

We heard goalkeepers moaning about Teamgeist, the new World Cup ball from German sports company, Adidas before the 2006 World Cup Finals had even begun; but if the tournament continues in the vein of this classic opening game, then fans around the world are in for a World Cup goal bonanza.

Six goals and not all of them by Germany, what more can you ask for?

The 2006 World Cup Finals tournament was officially declared open at 16.52 Berlin time (just over an hour before the opening game) and after a minute's silence in Munich, in memory of all the footballers who died this year, Costa Rica kicked off.

Germany got themselves off to the perfect start with a beautiful strike from Philip Lahm, just 5 minutes and 9 seconds after Horacio Elizondo of Argentina blew the whistle for the game to commence.

Or so they thought.

Within seven minutes, Paulo Wanchope had equalised for Costa Rica; game on.

It didn't take long for Germany to get back on top, as Bernd Schneider ran the ball down towards the right corner flag and pulled it back for Bastian Schweinsteiger; who looked up as he moved forward and when the moment was right, passed across the penalty area for Birthday Boy, Miroslav Klose to tap in his 6th World Cup Finals goal at the far post.

Half-Time (2:1)

With 61 minutes on the clock, Miroslav Klose watched as his header, from Philip Lahm's cross, was saved but followed up swiftly to score his second goal of the game and put Germany almost out of reach (3:1).

Costa Rica didn't read the script though and on 73 minutes Paulo Wanchope hovered on a line with the last German defenders, then ran onto a through ball and managed to flick the ball past Jens Lehmann; as Arne Friedrich tried to slide in between them (3:2).

As if this wasn't enough for fans of open football, and boy were these teams open, the finale came with five minutes left to play.

I know, I know.... it would have been nice for the Ticos to equalise in this classic but in fairness they didn't really deserve it.

Instead, the home nation extended their lead yet again shortly after Bastian Schweinsteiger squared a free-kick across to Torsten Frings.

The Werder Bremen midfielder scored his eight goal for Germany with a screamer, straight through the centre of the packed Costa Rica penalty area; for what will already be up there as a candidate for 'Goal of The Tournament'.

And what a way to start the 2006 World Cup Finals. This new ball has brought World Cup Football to life with a vengeance.

Final Score:
Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2

Teams
Germany: (Captain Bernd Schneider)
1 Jens Lehmann; 3 Arne Friedrich, 16 Philip Lahm, 17 Per Mertesacker, 21 Christoph Metzelder; 18 Tim Borowski, 8 Torsten Frings, 19 Bernd Schneider, 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger; 11 Miroslav Klose, 20 Lukas Podolski.

Costa Rica: (Captain Luis Marin)
18 Jose Porras; 12 Leonardo Gonzalez, 3 Luis Marin, 5 Gilberto Martinez, 4 Michael Umana; 10 Walter Centeno, 6 Danny Fonseca, 20 Douglas Sequeira, 8 Mauricio Solis; 11 Ronald Gomez, 9 Paulo Wanchope.

Referee:
Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)

Our Man of The Match:
We would like to give the first award of the 2006 World Cup Finals to Miroslav Klose, because it's his birthday but I think it should really go to Teamgeist; for the six goals that get the tournament off to a roaring start.