First game, Germany won 4-2 against Costa Rica but in truth, it was a poor game by world cup standards. only those good goal made it look better. Costa Rican won't survive the group and Germany won't go further that 1/4 finals
drunken_master
Germany captain Michael Ballack will return for the host's second World Cup Group A game against Poland on Wednesday, coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Sunday.
'Michael will play in the second game,' Klinsmann told a news conference. 'You can take that for granted.'
Ballack was left out of the team for Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the opening match of the World Cup on Friday over concerns that his calf strain had not healed completely.
Tim Borowski deputised for Ballack against Costa Rica.
drunken_master
Oliver Neuville's goal in injury time has led to Germany beating Poland 1-0 win in a Group A World Cup match.
Neuville slid the ball in with a low shot from close range after a right-wing cross from fellow substitute David Ondonkor.
Miroslav Klose and captain Michael Ballack both hit the crossbar a few minutes earlier.
Klose headed a cross off the bar in the 90th and Ballack got the rebound and kicked off at nearly the same spot.
Poland was playing with 10 men after midfielder Radoslaw Sobolewski was sent off in the 75th for tripping Klose.
The game between the European neighbours was scrappy and featured little flowing play, but plenty of tough challenges.
Ballack recovered from an injured muscle in his right calf that forced him to miss the win over Costa Rica and was at the centre of most of his team's attacks.
Germany, which beat Costa Rica 4-2 in its opening match, now has six points.
drunken_master
Germany sealed top spot in Group A in impressive style, with a Miroslav Klose brace and Lukas Podolski's first goal of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ sealing an emphatic 3-0 win over Ecuador.
Both these sides had already qualified for the Round of 16 prior to this match, but it is Jurgen Klinsmann's side who will march on to the next phase in more confident mood after a performance that simply oozed self-assurance.
The sell-out crowd of 72,000 at Berlin's Olympiastadion were certainly treated to a terrific showing from their side, for whom Klose - now tournament top scorer - was particularly impressive up front.
Ecuador, meanwhile, opted to rest a number of the players who had helped secure victories over Poland and Costa Rica in the South Americans' previous two matches, and did not look as potent without the likes of key striker Agustin Delgado.
Germany will now face the second-placed side from Group B in Munich on 24 June, while Ecuador will go head-to-head against the winner of that section in Stuttgart the following day.
With their third straight win, Germany – who could have added another goal with a smattering of chances near the end – strut confidently into the Round of 16, where they will take on the the runner-up from Group B (England, Sweden or Trinidad & Tobago).
Ecuador, despite a difficult day in Berlin, can look forward to a match-up with Group B's winners winner (Sweden or England) in their first-ever knockout stage game at a FIFA World Cup finals.
drunken_master
Poland rescued some pride with a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica as both sides said goodbye to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Hannover on Tuesday.
With both sides already eliminated after two defeats, they went into this Group A match aiming to end on a high at least, and it was Costa Rica who started the better as they took a 25th-minute lead through Ronald Gomez's free-kick.
However, Batosz Bosacki drew the Poles level eight minutes later and same player headed the winning goal in the 66th minute.
Poland's victory means they finish third in Group A with one win and two defeats - the same record as four years ago in Korea/Japan. With three defeats, bottom-placed Costa Rica are left to dwell on their poorest return in three FIFA World Cups.
Poland wanted so much more from this FIFA World Cup, but at least they ended with a win.
For the Costa Ricans it brings a disappointing finale to a campaign that began with a creditable display in the Opening Match against Germany.
