MUNICH, Jun 9 (SW) - Germany have won the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, beating Costa Rica 4-2 with goals from Phillip Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Torsten Frings.

After a minute of silence, in order to remember football legends that passed away in recent years, Paulo Wanchope kicked off to officially open the 2006 World Cup.

The first good chance was for Germany in the 4th minute. Podolski passed the ball to Frings, who struck just over the crossbar from thirty meters.

1-0 Phillip Lahm 6th minute

But two minutes later, Klinsmann's side did open the score. Defender Phillip Lahm's diagonal shot from the left side beautifully curved into the top right corner, beating goalkeeper Porras.

Lahm succeeds Senegalese player Papa Bouba Diop as opening goalscorer of a FIFA World Cup.

Not much later, the hosts almost scored their second goal as Costa Rica continued to make mistakes. Miroslav Klose was only just stopped by the goalkeeper.

1-1 Paulo Wanchope 12th minute

But while Germany attempted to increase the gap, Costa Rica did the opposite by scoring for 1-1. A through ball from Centeno was received by Wanchope, who did well to beat Lehmann and level the score.

The Germans called for off-side but the linesman was correct to keep his flag low.

2-1 Miroslav Klose 17th minute

However, the match continued to be exciting as Germany soon restored their lead. Bastian Schweinsteiger beat the Costa Rican defense with a pass to striker Klose, who could easily score from close range.

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, picked over Oliver Kahn to guard his side's goal, needed treatment on his foot but was able to continue.

In the 22nd minute, Podolski tried a shot on goal but the Porras blocked, after which the ball was cleared by a defender.

Wanchope impressed in the 29th minute, getting past two German defenders before finally being stopped by another.

The first yellow card of the tournament went to Danny Fonseca, following a foul on Podolski on the half hour mark.

After the hectic opening phase, things slowed down a bit at the Allianz-Arena and the clock slowly crawled towards half time.

A foul from Sequeira on Schweinsteiger in the 40th minute earned the Bayern Munich midfielder a free kick, which was struck over the bar by Podolski.

A corner from Schweinsteiger went right through Costa Rica's defense in the 43rd minute, but Christoph Metzelder failed to take advantage and his attempt did not go anywhere near Porras' goal.

Second half

Three minutes after the break, Costa Rica had a corner and Fonseca had a good opportunity to head on goal, but his attempt went well wide.

3-1 Miroslav Klose 61st minute

But in the 61st minute, the Germans set the score to 3-1. Miroslav Klose's effort after a Lahm cross was first saved by the goalkeeper, but the striker then took advantage in the rebound from close range.

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes was first to make changes, replacing Gilberto Martinez with Jervis Drummond.

Not much later, Klinsmann replied by taking off Tim Borowski for Sebastian Kehl.

3-2 Paulo Wanchope 74th minute

In the 74th minute, Costa Rica got a goal back as Centeno once again found Wanchope, who scored for 3-2. Again, the Germans called for off-side and this time the linesman's decision appeared to be more controversial.

Miroslav Klose, who scored two of Germany's goals, was substituted for Oliver Neuville in the 79th minute. Recently, the experienced Neuville had been showing an impressive performance.

Per Mertesacker was close to restoring the gap for the Germans in the 80th minute, but Porras did well to save and avoid conceding a fourth goal.

4-2 Torsten Frings 87th minute

While Germany was holding its breath in fear of a late equalizer, Torsten Frings decided the match with a beautiful distance shot for 4-2 in the 87th minute.

The goal also meant a new record, as it had not happened before that six goals were scored in a FIFA World Cup opening match.

Not much happened in the final minutes, and Germany earned their first three points of the tournament with a 4-2 win over Costa Rica.