The opening game of a World Cup can often be tight and tetchy affairs, with neither wanting to get their campaigns off to a losing start.
However, eight years ago today, the pressure was on hosts Germany to produce a positive performance against minnows Costa Rica as the 2006 tournament got underway in Munich.
Jurgen Klinsmann's men appeared to shoulder that expectation from a lively home support with relative ease because, in just the sixth minute, the deadlock was broken courtesy of an unlikely source. Full-back Philipp Lahm cut in from the left flank, before curling his shot into the top corner of Costa Rica net.
There was then a momentary lapse in the 12th minute as former Derby County, West Ham United and Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope sprung the German offside trap and then went on to beat Jens Lehmann with great composure to silence the majority of those in the stands of the Allianz Arena.
Normal service was resumed just seven minutes later, though, when Bastian Schweinsteiger's attempted shot was fired across the face of the Costa Rica goal for Miroslav Klose, who turned the ball in from close range.
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Germany continued to dominate proceedings, but it wasn't until the 61st minute when both of their goalscorers combined that the Costa Rican net was breached for a third time. Lahm floated over a cross from the left and, although Klose's initial header was parried out by Jose Porras, the centre-forward reacted quickest to fire in the rebound.
Credit to the Central Americans, though, because they refused to accept their fate and with 12 minutes remaining Wanchope was again afforded enough space inside the German penalty area to prod in his country's second goal of the contest.
Yet, the final say went the way of Germany and namely Torsten Frings. The midfielder took aim a full 30 yards from goal and saw his effort swerve away from a diving Porras as it flew into the top corner.
Speaking after the final whistle, goalscorer Lahm praised the supporters by saying: "It is always important to start off with a win. You could see what euphoria there was in the stadium. Part of the victory should be credited to the fans. They were the 12th man on the pitch."
GERMANY: Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Frings, Borowski (Kehl), Schneider (Odonkor), Podolski; Klose (Neuville)
COSTA RICA: Porras; Marin, Umana, Gonzalez, Martinez (Drummond); Fonseca, Solis (Bolanos), Centeno, Sequeira, Gomez (Azofeifa); Wanchope
Liam Apicella
