One Down, Two More To Lose
The headlines in this mornings Spanish language newspaper La Nación reads "Caída Honrosa"  the Al Día  "Respondones" and the Diario Extra with "Buen Fugeo".

However, the words don't change the fact that the Ticos never had control of the game and lost the opening game, before a reported 1.5 billion television viewers and 66.000 fans in the stadium, 4 to 2 to the Germans.

On the street, words of consolation included "just being there is a win" and "they were up against a giant". Of course, not all the comments were positive, some interviewed on local television felt that their team let them down and that could have played much better.

The real hero of the game was Paulo Wanchope who scored both of the Tico goals. The former Manchester City striker stunned the Germans in the 12th and 73rd minutes with clinical finishes on deadly through-balls which badly exposed the German defence.

"We have a good chance to qualify because we played well," Wanchope said after Friday's game. "We need to concentrate a little bit more and keep it going."

The goal total broke the record for the most in the opening match of a finals tournament, surpassing the five scored in France's 4-1 triumph over Mexico in the inaugural competition in 1930.

Italy crushed U.S. 7-1 on the first day of the 1934 World Cup but there was no opening game in that competition, with eight matches being played simultaneously.

"At such a mega event like the World Cup, we've got to put this behind us quickly," Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann told ZDF television.

The Germans opened the scoring early in the game, scoring their first goal at minute 6. The Ticos responded quickly tying the game, tying the game five minutes later. When the Ticos scored their first goal, it felt like a small earthquake hit the country. If one listened closely, the earth felt like it moved.

The Germans again took the lead in minute 17 silencing the Ticos, bringing the score to 2-1. 

In the second half the Germans added the insurance goal at minute 61. The Ticos responded with their second goal in the second half at minute 73, bringing them closer to the objective of tying the game.

The Germans added an insurance goal at minute 87, leaving the Ticos not time to even think of a tie, bringing the final score of 4-2 for the Germans.

Thursday June 15, the Ticos play Ecuador who beat Poland 2-0 in their opening game in Group A.