Winning start for World Cup hosts Germany

Jun 10, 2006

MUNICH - Miroslav Klose struck twice on his 28th birthday to lead Germany to a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, getting the World Cup off to an explosive start on Friday. The strike total broke the record for the most goals in the first match of a finals tournament.

MUNICH - Miroslav Klose struck twice on his 28th birthday to lead Germany to a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, getting the World Cup off to an explosive start on Friday. The strike total broke the record for the most goals in the first match of a finals tournament.

Full back Philip Lahm curled in a right-footer from the edge of the box to give Germany a 6th-minute lead in the Group A match played before a 66,000 sellout crowd at the Allianz Arena.

Paulo Wanchope equalised before three-times former champions Germany, missing injured captain Michael Ballack, regained the lead in the 17th minute through Klose. The Polish-born striker then made it 3-1 when he fired into the roof of the net on 61 minutes. Wanchope added his second goal with 17 minutes to go but Torsten Frings grabbed Germany’s fourth with a stunning long-range drive in the 87th minute.
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