Plenty of goals, no major security issues and a win for the hosts – the World Cup got off to a feel-good start Friday.

Germany beat Costa Rica, 4-2, in the tournament opener, while Ecuador beat Poland, 2-0, in the day’s other Group A game.

Despite thousands of Poland fans crossing the border to get to their team’s game in Gelsenkirchen, there were no major security problems reported on the World Cup’s first day.

The tournament got under way in Munich with the showiness of the opening ceremony and the highest-scoring opening match since the World Cup began in 1930.

Germany striker Miroslav Klose celebrated his 28th birthday by scoring two goals, while Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings added the others for Germany.

The host nation never dominated its unheralded opponent but showed the determination it will need to go a long way by overcoming two goals from Costa Rica’s Paulo Wanchope.

The capacity crowd of 66,000 gave the team a standing ovation.