World Cup 2006 Group Stage Review - Phase One - Part One

All 32 teams have played one match each as the World Cup has begun in explosive fashion, but are things going according to plan for the favourites or are the underdogs having a say in proceedings? This is a short round-up of Groups A to D, of the results as they stand after one match.

Group A

1. Germany 3pts, 2. Ecuador 3pts, 3. Costa Rica 0pts, 4. Poland, 0pts

Germany kicked off the tournament in style with an entertaining 4-2 win against Costa Rica at odds of 1/4. Full back Phillip Lahm scored a cracking goal after six minutes to break the deadlock but veteran Paulo Wanchope levelled on 12. Miroslav Klose netted twice on 17 and 61 before Wanchope hauled his side back into the game 3-2 down. Torsten Frings ensured victory for the host nation three minutes from time.

Poland were the victims of a shock result as Ecuador won at odds of 10/3. The least rated of all the South American sides took the lead through Tenorio after 24 minutes before former Southampton striker Augustin Delgado scored a second with 10 minutes remaining.

Group B

1. England 3pts, 2. Sweden 1pt, 3. Trinidad & Tobago 1pt, 4. Paraguay 0pts

England struggled in the heat against Paraguay but picked up three vital points as they beat their South American opponents 1-0. Carlos Gamarra headed in David Beckham