German fans hope former player Jurgen Klinsmann can claim an opening game win in Munich against Costa Rica

But Chelsea's new signing, Michael Ballack has to sit out the opener as he recovers from a right-calf injury

Only six minutes in and Philipp Lahm scores a sensational goal for the hosts which hits the top corner of the net

However, after some scrappy defence Costa Rica slip back into the game as Paulo Wanchope easily scores

Whilst Klinsmann furiously protests the goal as offside, an elated Costa Rican fan celebrates the 12th-minute equaliser

Goal number three! Germany's Miroslav Klose receives Bastian Schweinsteiger defence-splitting pass perfectly, and slots it in

And more than one-and-a-half billion are watching the opening tournament from across the globe

German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann thanks the vocal home support as he leaves the pitch at half time

Both German scorers pair up to slot home a third - Philip Lahm crosses for Miroslav Klose to rifle in a rebound

This pleases the coach and assistant Joachim Loew and lifts the spirits amongst the home support in the Allianz Arena

Within minutes Torsten Frings is brought down but the midfielder is soon back on his feet

Costa Rica refuse to lie down though and Paulo Wanchope slides home with a smart finish to make it 3-2

But Germany are finally able to extinguish the threat when Frings fires in an unstoppable shot three minutes from time