MUNICH, Jun 9 (SW) - Welcome to SoccerWay.com's live coverage of the World Cup Group A match between Germany and Costa Rica from Allianz-Arena in Munich.

FULL-TIME
It's a dominant performance by Germany although their defense left questions to be answered at times in the game.

Two goals by Miroslav Klose outdid two by Paulo Wanchope although the man of the match may well have been left-back Philipp Lahm who scored the opener with a stunning finish and set up Klose's second with a pinpoint cross.

87th minute - GOAL GERMANY! (4-2)
Goal: 8 - Frings
OH WOW! It's a majestic strike by Torsten Frings!

The midfielder circled a short free kick by Schweinsteiger before unleashing a 40-yard rocket that gave Porras absolutely no chance, and now it looks as if Germany will leave Munich with three points.

80th minute
It's nearly 4-2 to Germany as a corner kick is met well by Mertesacker, but Porras is at his best to make a stunning save.

79th minute - Germany substitution
On: 10 - Neuville
Off: 11 - Klose
The man with two goals comes off as Klose is given a rest and Oliver Neuville takes his place in attack.

78th minute - Costa Rica substitution
On: 7 - Bolaños
Off: 8 - Solís
More new legs for Costa Rica as they press for an equalizer, Mauricio Solís making way for Christian Bolaños.

73rd minute - GOAL COSTA RICA! (3-2)
Goal: 9 - Wanchope
Centeno again plays Wanchope through as the striker appeared this time to be offside (although he had wrongly been ruled off earlier), and he nets his 45th goal as cool as can be to put the Ticos back into the match.

72nd minute - Germany substitution
On: 5 - Kehl
Off: 18 - Borowski
A straight swap as Borowski, deputizing for Ballack, is replaced by Sebastian Kehl.

69th minute
Lahm has Michael Umaña's number on the left side in this match as the defender comes forward in attack again, but he can only let off a tame effort right at Porras.

67th minute - Costa Rica substitution
On: 2 - Drummond
Off: 5 - Martínez
Alexandre Guimaraes needs some new legs in defense as Gilberto Martínez has run out of gas, so he brings on Jervis Drummond in his place.

61st minute - GOAL GERMANY! (3-1)
Goal: 11 - Klose
It's that man Klose again with his second goal on his birthday and his seventh in World Cup play.

A cross in from the left by Lahm meets the head of Klose whose shot is parried by Porras, but the Costa Rica defense doesn't clear and Klose puts in the rebound.

48th minute
Golden chance spurned by Costa Rica as a Walter Centeno corner kick finds an unmarked Fonseca in the center of the area, but his free header goes well wide with no defender near him.

46th minute
Podolski and Germany are looking more and more dangerous on these shots from mid-range distance, and the young striker sends a shot high just after the restart.

46th minute
Horacio Elizondo blows the whistle, and Germany get the match restarted.

HALF-TIME
Well what a first 45 minutes to start the world's greatest sporting event.

Germany certainly looked the more dangerous of the team from open play, but their decision to constantly use the offside trap cost them on the Costa Rica goal, and nearly on a couple of other occasions.

Germany, though, always looked the more consistent team in attack with Schweinsteiger all over the pitch. Klose looks to be the main target up front through the first half.

43rd minute
A dangerous corner kick in by Podolski squirts through to the far post, but Christoph Metzelder lets off the shot of a defender and sends the ball into the stands.

40th minute
Without Michael Ballack, the duties of taking a 30-yard free kick fall to the youngster Podolski. The soon-to-be Bayern striker, though, sends a good effort just high of the goal.

31st minute - Costa Rica booking
Booked: 6 - Fonseca
Danny Fonseca becomes the first player in the book after a foul on Podolski. Two yellows in the group stage is a suspension. Typically not wise to pick up one so early.

22nd minute
If you like offensive football, then this is your game. Podolski takes a crack at goal from distance with a rifle shot, but his effort flies right into the arms of Porras.

17th minute - GOAL GERMANY! (2-1)
Goal: 11 - Klose
This is all too much too fast! Bernd Schneider plays the ball back into the area, allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger to find Klose at the far post for a tap-in goal, re-taking the lead for Germany.

12th minute - GOAL COSTA RICA! (1-1)
Goal: 9 - Wanchope
German players are pleading for the offside flag, but Paulo Wanchope was dead even with the last defender, Per Mertesacker, and a perfect through ball find the all-time leading Costa Rica scorer who beats Jens Lehmann for the equalizer.

My what a game already after 12 minutes!

10th minute
Germany continue to look dangerous and a ball rolling in the area looks ripe for the taking for Miroslav Klose, but Porras does well to knock it away at the striker's feet.

6th minute - GOAL GERMANY! (1-0)
Goal: 16 - Lahm
Defender Philipp Lahm gives Germany an early lead in his home stadium after making a move to create space and hits a great curling shot that leaves Porras helpless at the far post.

What a start by the hosts!

3rd minute
Lukas Podolski plays the ball back to Torsten Frings who lets off a laser than goes over the bar.

Kickoff
Costa Rica start it off, and the 2006 World Cup is underway!

Pre-Game
Germany, most notably, are missing playmaker Michael Ballack due to a calf injury, replaced in the starting lineup by Tim Borowski. Also, striker Mike Hanke is unavailable through suspension.

Costa Rica have a very healthy squad, but reserve goalkeeper Álvaro Mésen is out, meaning Wardy Alfaro will deputize should José Porras go down injured.

Lineups
Germany: Lehmann; Lahm, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Friedrich; Borowski (Kehl 72), Schweinsteiger, Schneider (Odonkor 90), Frings; Podolski, Klose (Neuville 79).
Goals: Lahm 6, Klose 17, 61, Frings 87
Booked:


Costa Rica: Porras; González, Marín, Umaña, Martínez (Drummond 67); Centeno, Sequeira, Fonseca, Solís (Bolaños 78); Wanchope, Gómez (Azozeifa 90).
Goals: Wanchope 12, 73
Booked: Fonseca 31


Match Information
Venue: Allianz-Arena, Munich
Referee: Horacio Elizondo (ARG)
Assistants: Dario García and Rodolfo Otero (ARG)
4th Official: Carlos Chandía (CHI)