Day-by-day review of how the drama of the World Cup first round of matches in the first stage unfolded.
BERLIN: Day-by-day review of how the drama of the World Cup first round of matches in the first stage unfolded:
June 9: Germany, without skipper Michael Ballack, beat Costa Rica 4-2 in opening match in Munich while Group A rivals Ecuador defeat Poland 2-0.
June 10: England need an early own goal to beat Paraguay 1-0 in Frankfurt while, also in Group B, 10-man Trinidad and Tobago, the smallest nation ever to make the finals, grab a 0-0 draw with Sweden. Argentina see off Ivory Coast 2-1 in Group C.
First off-field drama of the tournament as Otto Pfister walks out as Togo coach in a row over player bonuses. Assistant Kodjovi Mawuena takes over.
June 11: Ajren Robben puts in virtuoso display and scores goal which gives the Netherlands a 1-0 win over Serbia Montenegro in Group C.
Iran, the tournament's most controversial team, lose 3-1 to Mexico who claim early lead of Group D.
Portugal limp to a 1-0 win, thanks to Pauleta, over former colony Angola.
June 12: Tim Cahill comes off bench to inspire Australia to a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Japan. Czech Republic beat the USA 3-0 but win marred by thigh injury to Jan Koller.
Italy see off Ghana 2-0.
Togo football federation say that Pfister will return to lead African team.
Champions Brazil see skipper Cafu accused of passport fraud while France coach Raymond Domenech accuses French press of espionage.
Speculation over whether or not Wayne Rooney will feature in England's clash with Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.
June 13: Champions Brazil labour to a 1-0 win over Croatia with a lacklustre Ronaldo taken off in the second half.
France held to 0-0 draw by Switzerland in Group C while Ahn Jung-Hwan comes off bench to score the winner for South Korea in their come-from-behind 2-1 victory over 10-man Togo who have Pfister on bench.
Serbia and Montenegro lose Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic with a knee ligament injury cutting the squad to 21 after Dusan Petkovic, son of manager Ilija, refused to travel amid claims of nepotism.
June 14: Spain hit top gear immediately with a 4-0 mauling of Ukraine to go top of Group H while Tunisia need an injury time goal to draw 2-2 with Saudi Arabia.
Sven-Goran Eriksson mulls Rooney recall for Thursday's match with Trinidad and Tobago, claiming the striker is "match-fit".
Berlin prostitutes say they're working double time to cope with demand from World Cup fans.
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